Fort Pierce - Wednesday February 8, 2023: The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority has broken ground on the new Mainland Sewer Treatment Plant.
The project removes the existing island sewer treatment plant from the shores of the Indian River Lagoon, and places the new treatment plant five miles west, far away from the lagoon and in an industrial area away from neighborhoods. The project will replace aging infrastructure with new technology, increase resilience, and limit potential environmental impacts.
Construction is slated to be completed by December 2024. The sewer system’s conveyance system will be redirected from eastward to westward flowing at the same time, with plans to operate both plants while the new plant is turned on in phases. The old island plant is expected to be fully decommissioned in 2027.
Among those in attendance at the Friday February 3 groundbreaking were Congressman Brian Mast, Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson, State Senator Erin Grall, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Board Member and St. Lucie County District 1 Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, and members of the FPUA board and leadership.
“By moving the island facility, the citizens of Fort Pierce and the State of Florida are removing any potential environmental damage to the Indian River Lagoon,” said Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson. “The City of Fort Pierce, the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority and St. Lucie County agree it is the right and prudent thing to do. We will be protecting our waterways for future generations.”
“This project is foundational, and it will help protect our public health, our lagoon and provide for the economic development of our beautiful City and for a stronger community," said Javier Cisneros, Utility Director for FPUA.
The upgraded plant will be more energy-efficient and cost less to operate, saving our customers money. It will also reduce an average two million gallons per day of draw from Florida’s aquifers by instead utilizing reuse water from the sewer plant for the cooling towers.
To learn more about this relocation project, visit www.sustainablesewer.net.