ECUA moves to take control of CWRF effluent management
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, Florida · Meeting date: October 20, 2026 · Published: October 21, 2026
Pensacola's Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has selected Jacobs Engineering to advance a 10.2mgd infiltration-wetland project at its Central Water Reclamation Facility. The scheme is designed to give ECUA a utility-controlled outlet for reclaimed water as demand from Florida Power & Light and International Paper remains variable and their agreements approach expiry.
Key points
- The Citizens' Advisory Committee approved the Jacobs engineering-services agreement as part of its consent agenda, with a unanimous 10-0 vote.
- The proposed system comprises about 55.5 acres and 11 infiltration-wetland cells on existing CWRF property, with draft FDEP authorization for 10.2mgd annual-average daily flow.
- Jacobs will negotiate a final scope and fee with ECUA before staff returns for approval to proceed.
- The project is intended to recharge surficial groundwater, create habitat and provide a utility-controlled reclaimed-water management option.
Full report
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority's Citizens' Advisory Committee has backed the appointment of Jacobs Engineering to take its Central Water Reclamation Facility (CWRF) effluent-management scheme into final design, procurement and construction support—a move aimed at reducing the Pensacola utility's exposure to uncertain industrial reclaimed-water demand.
The committee approved the engineering-services agreement under its consent agenda on 20 October, by a 10-0 vote. Jacobs was the sole respondent to ECUA's request for qualifications, although 41 organisations, including five local engineering firms that regularly work with the authority, accessed the solicitation.
The appointment does not yet set a consultant fee or final scope. Staff will negotiate these with Jacobs and return for approval before work proceeds.
The project addresses a strategic constraint at CWRF, whose current effluent-management arrangements rely on Florida Power & Light and International Paper as outside reclaimed-water users. ECUA said their demands vary, hampering plant operations, while future demand is uncertain because the reclaimed-water agreements will end in coming years.
The proposed alternative is an infiltration-wetland system on CWRF property. The concept comprises approximately 55.5 acres divided into 11 wetland cells, with draft Florida Department of Environmental Protection authorization for 10.2mgd annual-average daily flow and a 6.75mgd APRICOT backup discharge system. Treated water would be conveyed from existing storage facilities to splitter boxes and distributed among the cells.
ECUA said the system would provide an effluent-management asset under its own control while creating natural habitat and recharging surficial groundwater, an allowable reuse option under Florida rules. The project is in final permitting and is about 30% designed.
Jacobs previously completed the hydrogeological investigations, infiltration testing, groundwater modelling, preliminary engineering and permitting support underlying the present configuration. Its proposed role now includes detailed design, bidding documents, construction oversight, startup support and operational planning.
The consultant's preliminary project material identifies an estimated $19 million construction cost for the wetland system. ECUA has not authorized construction expenditure or a final engineering fee.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: ECUA CAC Meeting - 10-20-26, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority