You Are Here : Home / Business & Development/ City Projects / N.E. Water Reclamation Facility Improvements

N.E. Water Reclamation Facility Improvements

Project typeFacility Improvements
Project cost$18.4 million
Project scheduleConstruction began in June 2021, and the project is expected to be completed in 2023. The contractor will work between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Night and weekend work will be rare.
Contractor namePoole & Kent Company of Florida
Completion DateMay 31, 2023

The Northeast Water Reclamation Facility (NE WRF) Improvements Project involves upgrades and replacement of existing wastewater treatment facilities and processes, which will improve the plant's efficiency and help to reduce operating costs and impacts on the environment.

This project consists of modifications and improvements to preliminary and primary treatment systems, sludge handling for digestion and dewatering, installation of a new equalization tank (EQT), new filters for primary treatment, a new grit removal system, new sludge blending tanks, and other associated work.
Pulsed air mixing system installation began and is expected through mid-June. Hydrostatic test and prep/form for pumps are expected to begin mid-June.
Primary sludge pipework continues and is expected through early June. Prep/form for filter slab expected shortly after.
Pickett thickeners structural work is complete, and grit removal structures have been poured. Head cell installation began and is expected through early June. The odor control system has been partially demolished. Demolition will finish once the plant is on bypass (anticipated the first week of June).
Excavation and installation of underground piping for blend tanks continues and is expected through mid-June.
Headworks bypass plan has been approved, as noted. Meanwhile, bypass piping, pumps, taps, and grit removal are being installed and expected through the end of May. Performance test on bypass expected to begin the first week of June.
The project is not expected to affect nearby residents other than by improving facility's efficiency that processes their wastewater.

How is the City of Safety Harbor involved with the project?

The city of Safety Harbor’s wastewater is treated at the Northeast water reclamation facility and therefore is cost-sharing the construction of the project with the city of Clearwater.

Where is this project taking place?

Construction will be done at the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility, which is located north of State Road 580 and just east of McMullen Booth Road, adjacent to the Chi Chi Rodriguez golf range.

How is traffic being handled during construction?

The city does not expect residents to be affected by traffic impacts. The construction will be inside the wastewater treatment plant.
There will not be any construction on public roadways. However, you may see more city vehicles going in and out of the plant, which will increase due to construction workers and deliveries of materials and equipment.
Public transportation and school bus routes will not be affected.

My property line borders the treatment plant. What can I expect during construction and when it’s finished?

You may hear noise from heavy equipment during active construction hours. There is no construction occurring within 500 to 1,000 feet from residents’ property lines. A new equalization tank will replace an existing tank; the new tank is about the same height as the existing control building that is located in the approximate center of the site.