Renovation of a water / sewer project in Clearwater, Florida. Conceptual plans call for the renovation of a water / sewer project.

The Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WWRF) currently discharges fully treated effluent to Tampa Bay through Feather Sound. This is the only existing discharge method other than reclaimed water. The WWRF has no backup discharge system in the event of an emergency, such as a failure in the effluent discharge system to Feather Sound or if there is a danger of high flows backing up to nearby homes. A feasibility study (Arcadis December 2017) determined four alternatives for effluent discharge, including primary, secondary, and emergency discharge. The preliminary engineering of the project occurred in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. It should also be noted that a previous study, conducted by Hazen and Sawyer, concluded that expansion of the City's residential reclaimed water system would not be a viable, cost-effective way of reducing effluent discharge to Tampa Bay. Likewise, an alternative effluent discharge would have no impact on current reclaimed customers. The four alternatives were reviewed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in FY 2019. City staff learned the three surface water discharge alternatives were not viable as FDEP was no longer issuing surface water discharge permits in Pinellas County. FDEP staff provided a positive endorsement for the fourth discharge alternative, Deep Injection Well. Additionally, other cities and counties in the region have been operating Deep Injection Wells in compliance with FDEP regulations for several years. The Deep Injection Well remained the sole remaining alternative and would provide for a permitted method of disposal for any level of additional Total Nitrogen quantities required after the completion of the Biological Treatment Improvements project is complete. Design funding for potential aquifer storage and recovery was executed in FY 23 and construction will be contingent upon the availability of future wastewater funding. As of March 13, 2025, this project is included in the City's 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) *Project information has been obtained through a public capital improvement plan (CIP). A CIP is a financial schedule for short- and long-range projects which is updated regularly. Information listed in the CIP often evolves based on funding availability and the project details, including timeline and value, are subject to change. The content management team will continue to pursue additional details as they become available.