Punta Gorda selects $95.9m RO expansion after hurricane salinity shock
City of Punta Gorda, Florida · Meeting date: October 28, 2026 · Published: October 29, 2026
Punta Gorda City Council has adopted the Drinking Water Facility Plan for an expansion of its reverse-osmosis water treatment plant and wellfield. The city’s preferred alternative would add 4mgd of RO capacity and carries the lowest planning-level 25-year life-cycle cost among three options evaluated.
Key points
- Council adopted the Drinking Water Facility Plan for the RO water treatment plant and wellfield expansion, a required step for participation in Florida’s State Revolving Fund programme.
- The selected alternative would add two 2mgd RO treatment units, delivering 4mgd of additional capacity at a planning-level 25-year life-cycle cost of $95.9 million.
- The city compared the RO option against purchasing up to 3.3mgd from the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority at $144.2 million, and a combined 2mgd purchase/2mgd RO alternative at $118.8 million.
- The project is targeted to enter service by 2030 and is supported by $35 million in Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricanes Helene and Milton funding.
- Council also approved a $288,290 amendment to Carollo Engineers for renewal and modification of the Shell Creek Water Treatment Plant water-use permit, which expires on July 31, 2027.
Full report
Punta Gorda has chosen a reverse-osmosis and wellfield expansion as its preferred response to growth, tighter surface-water reliability and hurricane-driven salinity risks at the Shell Creek Water Treatment Plant.
City Council adopted the Drinking Water Facility Plan on 28 October, authorising the plan required for State Revolving Fund participation and designating the city manager and mayor to carry out the associated commitments. The plan identifies expansion of the existing RO plant and brackish groundwater wellfield as the preferred solution.
The selected alternative would install two 2mgd RO treatment units for 4mgd of additional capacity. At a planning-level 25-year life-cycle cost of $95.9 million, it was the least-cost option considered. The city’s alternatives analysis put a purchased-water option, supplying up to 3.3mgd from the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, at $144.2 million. A combined approach, purchasing about 2mgd while adding 2mgd of RO capacity, was estimated at $118.8 million.
The facility-plan presentation characterised the full RO expansion as the most resilient alternative. The existing RO building was designed for expansion, while the existing wellfield limits the local footprint required, although new well construction would create some local disturbance.
The decision follows Hurricanes Helene and Milton, when storm surge and elevated downstream water levels overtopped the Hendrickson Dam. The resulting chloride concentrations in the Shell Creek Reservoir created treatment challenges and reduced the reliability of the surface-water source. The project is eligible for $35 million in Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricanes Helene and Milton funding, administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The city expects the expanded RO facility and wellfield to be in service by 2030. Council also approved a $288,290 amendment to Carollo Engineers for professional services to renew and modify the Shell Creek water-use permit. The permit, which authorises raw-water withdrawals from the city’s potable-water sources, expires on 31 July 2027 and will be renewed for at least 20 years. The work may pursue separate surface-water and groundwater allocations and/or increased raw-water allocations, subject to district guidance and analysis.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council - Oct 28, 2026, City of Punta Gorda