Project Facts at a Glance
Contractor: Wharton-Smith, Inc.
Cost: $12.4 million
Storage Capacity: 5 million gallons or enough to fill 7.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools
Start Date: January
Completion estimate: Early 2024
The need for additional drinking water storage was identified in the city’s 2018 Water Master Plan. In subsequent years, staff oversaw design of a new, five million gallon drinking water storage tank, evaluated locations for placement and secured funding options. With those prerequisites in place, the project is ready for construction at 700 Heineman Street. Work is scheduled to begin by January.
The new tank will double the storage capacity of the city’s water supply. Currently there are three storage tanks at the city’s water treatment plant on LPGA Boulevard, holding five million gallons of water. The water kept in the new tank will provide an emergency water supply during peak demand periods including when water is needed for fire suppression, there is a power outage at the plant or during the day when usage is high. The Heineman site was selected because it is centrally located and was previously used for an elevated storage tank, so larger underground pipes are already in place.
The $12.4 million project is being funded by a Florida Department of Environmental Protection State Revolving Fund low-interest rate loan, which includes $1.7 million in principle forgiveness upon completion of the program.
Residents can expect the following during construction:
- Access to the construction location will be off of Clyde Morris Boulevard to avoid impacts to the surrounding residential neighborhood and park.
- Suburbia Park should remain open and accessible during construction.
- Construction will take place during daytime working hours.
- Construction is scheduled to take more than a year based on ideal conditions.