Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Atlantic Beach approves consultant study to test reclaimed‑water discharge into wetlands as cheaper alternative to deep‑well injection
Summary
The City Commission authorized a $48,440 contract for a feasibility study on discharging highly treated reclaimed water into wetlands and drainage ditches to combat saltwater intrusion, citing a looming January 2032 deadline that will bar current river discharge and could make deep‑well injection prohibitively costly.
The City Commission of Atlantic Beach on July 28 approved a $48,440 task authorization to GeoSynTech Consultants to study whether highly treated reclaimed water can be discharged into local wetlands and drainage ditches to slow saltwater intrusion.
City Manager Killingsworth told the commission the city currently discharges about 1,500,000 gallons per day of highly treated wastewater to the St. Johns River and will need an alternative by January 2032. He said city staff and engineers have explored options, and that deep‑well injection—estimated by JEA at roughly $50 million—would be prohibitively expensive for a city of Atlantic Beach’s size.
"Our city engineer, Steve Swan, came up with this idea" to evaluate managed discharge to wetland systems, Killingsworth said, adding that the study will supply the data needed to make a formal request to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection if the approach appears viable. The commission approved the resolution to authorize the consultant work and funding out of the public utilities treatment account, not the general fund.
Commissioners voiced support for pursuing less‑costly, environmentally beneficial alternatives. Commissioner Bold said collecting data now could prevent heavy future costs for ratepayers; Commissioner Ring emphasized the urgency because of the 2032 compliance deadline.
The study is intended to analyze environmental impacts, feasibility and regulatory pathways, and to provide the evidence the city would present to DEP. The resolution passed on a voice vote with no opposition.
Next steps: staff will execute the task authorization and return findings or recommendations to the commission after the consultant completes the analysis.
