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The new East Water Reclamation Facility began operation during 2007, working with BSU’s original wastewater-treatment facility to process the wastewater produced by more than 40,000 homes and businesses in BSU’s 60-square-mile service area. |
Located on 165 acres along the east side of I-75, north of Terry Street, the East Water Reclamation Facility can treat up to 4 million gallons of wastewater per day. It is designed to be expanded to a capacity of 16 million gallons per day.
The facility uses state-of-the art membrane-bioreactor technology to reclaim wastewater and produce effluent that is used for outdoor irrigation, a great example of recycling.
Filtered wastewater is drawn through hollow strands of porous plastic fibers that resemble long strands of spaghetti. Billions of microscopic pores filter out impurities and let only water flow through. The membrane fiber physically blocks contaminants on the outside, while it collects reclaimed water on the inside. The reclaimed water is later used for irrigation of golf courses, public areas and landscaping.
The remaining waste is sent to a system of centrifuges and dryers that converts the remaining biosolids from both of BSU’s water reclamation facilities into pellets, pulling virtually all the moisture from the wastewater. The result is a dry product that is sold for fertilizer, generating income for the utility and ending an era of hauling sewer sludge for BSU.
CH2M Hill served as construction manager for the $58 million project. South Florida Water Management District provided a $1 million grant toward the construction.
| Director of Engineering Mike Liggins shows samples of the biosolids pellets produced by the new wastewater reclamation facility. The pellets are sold as fertilizer and eliminate the need for sludge hauling. |
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Celebrating the opening of the new Bonita Springs Utilities East Water Reclamation Facility were (left to right) Phil Flood of South Florida Water Management District, BSU Executive Director Fred Partin, BSU Board President Dave McKee, CH2M Hill Project Manager Katus Watson, BSU Director of Engineering Mike Liggins, Bonita Springs City Council Member Pat McCourt and Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah. |
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