May 18, 2023

Agency:

Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners

Project Title:

FAIN GNSSP22FL0039 – Wakulla Springshed Water Quality Protection Program

Location of Work Impacting Floodplain or Wetlands:

The area affected by this project consists of the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility and residences located on Lawhon Mill Road. The location of the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility is currently located on the edge of a floodplain and wetland. This project may only be completed at this location as it is increasing the capacity at the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Description of the Work to be Performed:

The Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility located at 2146 Lawhon Mill Road will be enhanced to include the construction of a new plant that will process influent to advanced wastewater treatment requirements. The work will be constructed in a floodplain located to the south of the plant, as further described on the attached location map. After full consideration of the alternatives and the project having been found to have No Significant Impact on the human environment (based upon an Environmental Assessment conducted pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and published on March 20, 2014), Wakulla County will proceed with this project as designed and engineered. This project conforms to applicable state and local floodplain protection standards.

This project is made possible by funding from the RESTORE Council through the Gulf Consortium and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Project Description:

This project includes the following: sitework (both pre-construction site preparation and post construction paving), and construction of a master influent lift station and equalization basin with screening capabilities, an administration and maintenance building, a 0.6 MGD AeroMod treatment train (Train 3), an effluent pump station and all associated piping/valves.

Purpose:

The purpose of this project is to provide wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements to reduce discharges of pollutants to the springshed of Wakulla Springs - and to the surface waters of the Wakulla River, St. Marks River, and Apalachee Bay - from existing septic systems and sewer overflows. This project will be performed at the county owned and maintained wastewater treatment facility. The facility, Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, is located at 2146 Lawhon Mill Road, Crawfordville, FL 32327. It is expected that this project will have a useful life of 39 years with preventative maintenance to maximize that life and efficiency.

Project Alternatives Considered:

In 2021, Wakulla County contracted with an engineering firm to conduct a feasibility study of the County’s sewer infrastructure including the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility. Along with infrastructure review, the engineering firm offered alternatives to the project. The alternative offered by the firm is 1) no action. The alternative to the project is not viable because if no action is taken to expand the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility and improve influent treatment processes, the county would have to terminate all septic to sewer connections once the plant reaches capacity; the facility would be at risk of producing effluent that exceeds the advanced wastewater treatment levels; and it could pose a risk to releasing harmful untreated sewage from failing septic systems.

Responsible Organization for Implementation and Monitoring:

Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners

Project Manager and Contacts: Mr. Ned Nobles

Contact Information: nnobles@esginc.net or (850) 962-3026