NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2024
Contact:
Kinsey Miller
Public Information Office
(850) 926-0919 ext. 712
Pictured Left to Right: Jeff Gilleo, Michelle Metcalf, Ned Nobles, Keith Whitfield, Justin Ford, Alexandra “Alessa” Haller, Tanisha Dixon, and Natalie Knowles
U.S. Treasury Makes Official Site Visit to Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility
SOPCHOPPY, Fla. – On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Jeff Gilleo, Tanisha Dixon, and Alexandra “Alessa” Haller of United States Treasury visited Wakulla County to do a status check of two current wastewater projects. This was a routine site visit for the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Retrofit and Lift Station 76 and Installation of a Force Main projects, which are funded by the RESTORE Act.
U.S. Treasury awarded Wakulla County $3,288,384.35 for the Otter Creek WWTF Retrofit project. With these funds, a contractor was competitively procured to purchase and install a 0.6 MGD Modified Aero-Mod Sequox Process. This advanced activated sludge system, known for its efficient removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and nutrients through timed aeration cycles, will treat influent to advanced wastewater treatment standards, the highest standard in Florida.
Additionally, U.S. Treasury awarded Wakulla County $3,205,815 for the Lift Station 76 and Installation of Force Main. Due to an increase in septic-to-sewer conversions, this project will increase the capacity on the Otter Creek WWTF and associated lift stations. Currently, lift station 76 collects wastewater from existing properties connected to central sewer and is nearing its capacity of 399 gallons per minute. With these improvements, lift station 76 will have an estimated capacity of 2,000 gallons per minute, which will accommodate the planned septic-to-sewer conversions and the anticipated increase in wastewater due to these conversions.
These initiatives represent Wakulla County's dedication to environmental stewardship, community well-being, and forward-thinking solutions for its growing population. The County remains grateful for the support and collaboration with the U.S. Treasury and RESTORE Act in making these essential projects a reality.
U.S. Treasury oversees the RESTORE Act, which is a result of the 2010 BP Oil Spill. For more information on this story, please contact Kinsey Miller, Wakulla County Public Information Officer at (850)926-0919.