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Hardee County begins utilities master plan; effluent reuse, ponds and injection all on the table
Summary
The EDA heard a Jacobs‑led utilities master plan kickoff and initial options for handling treated effluent, including reuse for irrigation, ponds, wetlands credits and deep well injection. Staff said funding and regulatory work will drive any chosen approach and Jacobs will identify feasibility options and preliminary costs.
Hardee County officials told the Economic Development Authority on Nov. 3 that Jacobs Engineering has begun a utilities master planning process that will analyze the county’s water and wastewater needs, forecast demand and identify feasible options for handling treated effluent.
“Jacobs had a master plan kickoff meeting Oct. 22,” said Bobby Keane, who led the presentation. He said the consultant will produce an infrastructure analysis, stakeholder outreach plan, sustainability and resilience measures, preliminary costs and funding strategies, and recommended feasibility studies.
Why it matters: county staff and commissioners said effluent disposal is a growing policy issue because of regulatory changes and planned local development. Commissioners repeatedly urged the plan to include reuse options for irrigation, agricultural use and public access where feasible.
During discussion, Keane listed options Jacobs will examine: spray fields, surface ponds, wetlands restoration (for potential crediting), deep well injection and reclaimed‑water reuse. He also said Jacobs has grant specialists who will help identify state and federal funding opportunities. Commissioners noted deep injection can be costly and flagged recent FDEP attention to disposal methods as an important factor for planning.
Board members and staff said they want multiple options in the final plan so the county can compare capital and operating costs, environmental permitting requirements and funding pathways. Keane said staff plan biweekly project meetings and expect a scope‑and‑fee proposal from Jacobs in the coming weeks.
What’s next: Jacobs will complete a scope and fee, conduct feasibility work, and present options with cost estimates and funding strategies for the county to consider.
