Agenda Item: 15(a)
Prepared By: Jeffrey E. Poteet, General Manager, Water & Sewer
Business: City Council Item
Department: Water & Sewer
Subject:
Title
Discussion with Council Action - Recommended Next Steps for Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) Implementation and Funding Strategy - Jeffrey E. Poteet, General Manager, Water & Sewer
Body
BACKGROUND:
On May 4, 2026, the City Council approved an ordinance formally authorizing the City to move forward with planning and implementation of Advanced Wastewater Treatment ("AWT") improvements at the Marco Island Reclaimed Water Production Facility ("RWPF"). This action reflects the City's continued commitment to environmental stewardship, long-term regulatory preparedness, protection of surrounding waterways and groundwater resources, and continued investment in critical utility infrastructure.
As part of this effort, the City retained Black & Veatch to perform an Advanced Water Treatment Evaluation of the RWPF. The evaluation assessed the current performance of the facility, identified future regulatory considerations associated with advanced nutrient removal requirements, and evaluated feasible treatment alternatives capable of achieving future AWT standards for Total Nitrogen ("TN") and Total Phosphorus ("TP"). The study also considered operational reliability, constructability, long-term operational complexity, life-cycle costs, expandability, and compatibility with the City's existing treatment infrastructure.
The Black & Veatch evaluation concluded that the RWPF is currently a well-operated and high-performing facility that already incorporates advanced treatment technologies, including membrane bioreactor ("MBR") processes, and continues to provide effective nutrient removal and environmental protection. The evaluation further concluded that all three proposed AWT alternatives are technically feasible and capable of achieving future AWT nutrient standards.
The next phase of the project will focus on sel...
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