The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded GRU a $22.5 million grant through its Wastewater Grant Program on Friday, Feb. 10.
The grant will help fund the Main Street Water Reclamation Facility Enhanced Nutrient Removal and Expansion Project. The project will modernize the facility to improve nutrient removal and expand its capacity from 7.5 million gallons per day to 10 million gallons per day to accommodate for growth in the community.
The project, which begins construction in 2024, works in conjunction with Sweetwater Wetlands Park to improve water quality and to provide a source of clean water to Paynes Prairie.
The grant is funded through the state’s Wastewater Grant Program, which awarded more than $240 million to 36 wastewater-related projects. GRU received the second-largest award.
“We are grateful to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for providing this funding to help us in this important project to protect water quality,” said GRU General Manager Tony Cunningham. “This project helps ensure that we can continue to provide safe and reliable utility services while also benefiting the environment.”
The Main Street Water Reclamation Facility was originally built in 1930 and then remodeled and expanded in the 1950s. It is one of two GRU wastewater treatment facilities.