West Polk Wellfield and Water Production Facility
The goal of this project is to utilize the brackish, Lower Floridan Aquifer (LFA) in Western Polk County as a water supply. The West Polk Wellfield is a permitted supply, and after treatment via reverse osmosis, will deliver up to 10 million gallons per day (MGD) of high-quality drinking water to the member governments.
Desalination removes dissolved substances in groundwater, seawater and municipal wastewaters to make water fit for human consumption, irrigation, industrial and other uses. Desalination is usually accomplished through a process called reverse osmosis, which purifies salt or brackish water by forcing it through semi-permeable membranes. These membranes act as filters that collect heavy metals and other compounds while the water passes through. This technology is already used throughout Florida.
Project Scope
- Production/test well construction and testing
- Source water quality and yield analysis
- Water use permitting
- Conceptual design report
- Pilot testing
- Preliminary design
- Rate analysis
LFA Brackish Ground Water Supply
- Raw water wellfield and transmission pipeline
- Advanced water treatment plant
- Injection wells
- Transmission
Project Status
supporting the withdrawal of the 12.5 MGD permitted allocation. A preliminary design report for this water production facility and transmission system was accepted by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) in October of 2021. Final design began in October 2022.
SWFWMD is a significant funding partner, providing nearly 50% grant funds to this project. The State of Florida has allocated over $4 M in appropriations to this project over the past few years and is providing low-interest State Revolving Fund loans, The PRWC has also been invited by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to apply for a low-interest WIFIA loan to design and construct the first phase of the Southeast Wellfield . This loan opportunity will provide the PRWC flexibility in its funding of these initial projects.
