Sarasota County, FL
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Central County Water Reclamation Facility
The Central County Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) is located at 7905 McIntosh Road and serves central Sarasota County. The WRF has a permitted treatment capacity of 8 million gallons per day.
Wastewater is pumped to the treatment plant through a network of underground pipes and lift stations. At the Central County WRF, the wastewater is screened to remove inorganic material. After screening, the wastewater goes through a biological process followed by filtration and disinfection of the reclaimed water.
The Central County WRF is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week by State of Florida licensed treatment plant operators. The plant is permitted by the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, permit FLA013455.
Wastewater treatment processes produce reclaimed water and biosolids
Reclaimed water is stored in reclaimed water storage ponds and is used for irrigation throughout the county on golf courses, right of ways and residential lawns. The reclaimed water is pumped to customer irrigation systems and ponds through a network of underground pipes. Reclaimed water pipes can be identified by their lavender or purple color. Reclaimed water is safe for watering grass and landscaping and reduces the demand for potable water.
The Central County WRF also has an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) well where reclaimed water can be stored during wet weather and recovered for distribution to reclaimed water customers during dry weather periods of the year. A deep injection well is also available for use to dispose of excess reclaimed water during periods of heavy rain and low usage of the reclaimed water.
Benefits of reclaimed water include:
- The reduction of the demand on water supplies used for drinking water.
- Enhancement of landscaping through irrigation.
- Reduction of saltwater intrusion.
- Reduced potable water bills.
Biosolids (solid waste remaining after treatment) produced at the treatment plants are dewatered using a centrifuge, a machine that spins and separates solids from liquids. The water removed in the dewatering process is returned to the first stage of the treatment plant for processing. The dewatered biosolids are transported to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) approved composting facility.
The Central County WRF will be upgraded to an advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) facility.
Reuse, Reclaimed Water, Reuse Water-Use Schedule
Extensive treatment, disinfection, and restricted usage ensure that public health and the environment are protected. Reclaimed water is an important component of both wastewater management and water resource management in Florida. Its use is encouraged and promoted. Sarasota County's reclaimed water meets or exceeds the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requirements for reclaimed water standards.
Benefits of reclaimed water include:
- The reduction of the demand on water supplies used for drinking
- Postponement of the development of costly new sources of drinking water
- Enhancement of the landscape through irrigation
- Reduction of the saltwater intrusion
- Saved potable water bills
- A responsible and environmentally sensitive alternative to effluent disposal
Fact Sheet
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