Winter Haven reports water quality gains, advances WWTP emergency dewatering and utility rate study

Winter Haven reports water quality gains, advances WWTP emergency dewatering and utility rate studyA newly adopted 2025 Annual Lakes Report shows 51% of Winter Haven's monitored lakes now meet state regulatory thresholds. To support ongoing infrastructure needs, the City Commission also approved a water and sewer rate study, LCRR compliance materials, and an emergency sludge dewatering contract for WWTP #3.

The 2025 Annual Lakes Report reveals 51% of monitored lakes meet Florida's regulatory thresholds for chlorophyll-a, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, up from 37% in 2018.

The City Commission approved an $80,000 water and sewer connection fee and rate study to be conducted by Raftelis Financial Consultants.

Commissioners retroactively approved a $116,328 emergency sludge dewatering agreement with Synagro South, LLC for Wastewater Treatment Plant #3 following equipment failures and a pipe collapse.

A $206,845 purchase of pipe fittings and materials from Ferguson Waterworks was authorized for Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) compliance.

The Winter Haven City Commission unanimously adopted the 2025 Annual Lakes Report on July 13, documenting significant long-term improvements in local water quality. According to the city's Natural Resources Division, 51% of the 37 monitored lakes now meet the State of Florida's regulatory thresholds for chlorophyll-a, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. This marks a substantial increase from 2018, when only 37% of the lakes met the standards. The Deputy City Manager noted that more than half of the lakes still considered impaired are showing improving water quality trends, demonstrating the impact of sustained, science-based management. The report includes individual water quality management plans for each lake, identifying site-specific stormwater and nutrient challenges to guide future municipal investments. Alongside the environmental report, the commission approved several critical water and wastewater infrastructure items via its consent agenda. To address projected growth and regulatory changes, the city authorized an $80,000 contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants to conduct a comprehensive water and sewer connection fee and rate study. The commission also approved a $206,845 purchase of pipe fittings and materials from Ferguson Waterworks to support service line investigations and replacements required for U.S. EPA Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) compliance. Additionally, the city ratified a $116,328 emergency sludge dewatering agreement with Synagro South, LLC for Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) #3. The emergency action was necessitated after a collapsed Internal Mixed Liquor Recycle (IMLR) pipe damaged aeration diffusers at WWTP #3. The situation was compounded by a simultaneous equipment failure at WWTP #2, which forced the transfer of digester sludge to WWTP #3, causing excessively high Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) concentrations. Synagro will provide a mobile centrifuge to reduce sludge levels and restore stable biological treatment operations. Further expanding its smart utility network, the city approved a $125,314 annual maintenance agreement renewal with Badger Meter, Inc. for its SmartCover system, which provides real-time satellite monitoring across 74 gravity sewer locations to prevent sanitary sewer overflows. The commission also authorized a $315,281 reimbursement amendment with Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group for upsizing a 12-inch transmission sewer force main to support flow transfers to the new Water Resource Facility at Pollard Road.