Florida city breaks ground on brackish RO project

The Florida city of Tarpon Springs broke ground on 25 March 2013 on a 5 MGD (19,000 m³/d) reverse-osmosis Alternative Water Supply Project.

The US$ 35 million project is partially financed by a US$ 20.1 million grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Paul Smith, City of Tarpon Springs public services director, told the council on 19 March 2013 that a total of 14 brackish groundwater wells had been drilled for the project, sufficient to start and run the facility. Staff would be seeking additional well sites.

The selected design-build contractor, Wharton-Smith Construction Group, had provided the city with several cost-saving options, some of which were being recommended by the city’s engineer. The city is looking at concentrate disposal via a deep-injection well, as well as alternative disposal methods.