The sewer treatment plant is being moved for three reasons:

1. The state of Florida is mandating that sewer treatment plants on the Indian River Lagoon be upgraded (see the Florida Clean Waterways Act). This will cost upwards of $16 million for our existing treatment plant. Instead, we are moving our plant.

2. As it was built in the 1940s and upgraded in 1974, it is time for the plant to be upgraded and modernized to meet the latest environmental standards. We feel that during this necessary upgrade, it makes sense to also move it off the Indian River Lagoon.

3. We too want to take every step we can to protect the Indian River Lagoon and as such, feel it is time to move the plant far inland and away from neighborhoods and homes.

The sewer treatment plant is being moved to Energy Lane in the far western part of the city, far away from any homes and neighborhoods. The new plant will be in an environmentally safe location, nestled in an industrial zone off major highways in western Fort Pierce and of course far away from the Indian River Lagoon. The Treasure Coast Energy Center, a natural gas power plant located in that industrial zone, will be its new next-door neighbor.

The island’s development will be decided through the same City of Fort Pierce planning and development processes that are required of all similar development projects. While neither FPUA nor the City know yet what will go in its place, FPUA envisions a space that can be enjoyed by the entire Fort Pierce community. Our hope is a public-facing waterfront concept with access to fish-ing, outdoor recreation, waterfront restaurants, and other entertainment options. Additional benefits that should derive from these public-facing amenities could include good, high-paying jobs. The ultimate use will be decided through a public vetting process once the relocation is complete.

Construction began in February 2023 with an estimated completion date of October 2025. While the new treatment plant is being constructed, we will also be going through the process of re-routing the underground pipes (the “conveyance system”) so that wastewater can flow west, in the direction of the new plant, instead of east, the direction that the wastewater currently flows. The conveyance system will be re-routed in multiple phases so that Phase 1 should be turned on in 2025, at the same time that the new wastewater treatment plant is ready. We anticipate that all wastewater should be flowing to the new plant by the end of 2027, with demolition of the existing treatment plant occurring at that time.

There are many economic and environmental benefits to moving the wastewater treatment plant off of South Hutchinson Island.

Environmentally, the current plant poses a risk to our precious Indian River Lagoon. As more frequent and severe hurricanes come to our coast, the plant and our environment are vulnerable to catastrophe, even with the full-sized generator that’s currently in place in case of emergency. Moving the plant will ensure that this precious resource is shielded from any potential catastrophe. The new plant, located next door to the Treasure Coast Energy Center (a natural gas powerplant), will also reduce the draw from our Floridan aquifer by an average of two million gallons per day. Water that used to be pulled from the aquifer for the power plant’s cooling towers will instead be provided by reuse water generated at the new wastewater plant.

Economically, the new plant will also be more energy-efficient and cost less to operate. Similarly, removing the current wastewater plant from South Hutchinson Island will open up that property to valuable economic opportunities for our downtown waterfront areas. Please also see the Sustainability page on this website to learn more about the environmental benefits of relocating the plant.

Yes. This move will give us the opportunity to update the outdated 50-year-old treatment plant by building a new state-of-the-art sewer treatment plant, located in a secure and remote western location, and ensure the Indian River Lagoon is protected in case of catastrophe. It is vital to note that under normal operations, none of the water from the sewer treatment plant goes into the Indian River Lagoon. However, there are times when unexpected storms, excess capacity, or system failure could potentially lead to wastewater entering the Indian River Lagoon. We want to make sure that never happens.

We are fortunate in that, as a public utility, we can bond the cost at a very low interest rate – far lower than the private sector can – and ultimately save ratepayers money in both the short and long term. We are also seeking both state and federal grants to further help offset the cost of the move/upgrade. Please see the Grants page on this website to learn more about the grants and appropriations efforts.

The current plan leaves the valuable resource and the public safety that it provides in the control of your hometown municipal utility and our qualified, professional staff. As a municipal utility, we work for you, the ratepayer.