CAPE CORAL, Fla.– The City of Cape Coral and Wharton-Smith Inc. broke ground Thursday for the construction of the new Southwest Water Reclamation Facility operations building.
The original operations building was constructed in 1994 but was deemed uninhabitable after defects caused safety concerns.
The city’s wastewater operators are currently working out of a trailer until the new facility is completed.
The new operations building is designed to withstand a category four hurricane.
“We want to make sure we put the employees in a safe environment,” said Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter.
The new facility will allow staff members to shelter in place while maintaining the operation of the wastewater plant. During Hurricane Irma, Gunter said staff members had to leave the plant.
“The facility is going to help our city be more resilient during a potential disaster,” said Cape Coral Utilities Director Jeff Pearson.
The new building will cost around $15.6 million and is being funded by the Utilities Department’s capital improvement budget.
The reclamation facility treats up to 15 million gallons per day. Much of that water is used in Cape Coral’s irrigation system.
The new operations building is expected to be completed in 2023.
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