The City of Cape Coral, located in Southwest Florida, has one of the largest reuse and reclaimed water systems in the
world. The City currently operates two wastewater reclamation facilities and initiated design for a third plant in 2007.
The North Water Reclamation Facility (NWRF) will have an initial capacity of 10 MGD, and an ultimate capacity of 20
MGD. Based on a detailed evaluation of conventional activated sludge and membrane bioreactor technologies, the City
selected membranes for a number of reasons including superior effluent quality, the capability for more effective
integration with reclamation objectives, and reduced area requirements for highly priced real estate. Membranes and
related equipment were subsequently pre-purchased using a life-cycle bidding approach. The entire project is being
delivered within an alternative delivery framework.
Recent wastewater facilities planning determined that a new treatment works would be required for rapidly growing
areas of the North Cape. Furthermore, it is the City's desire to maximize the reclamation of treated effluent to meet
irrigation distribution system demands and to more effectively utilize available resources. The proposed NWRF would
have the capability of discharging reclaimed water into a deep injection well as backup during low irrigation demand
periods. It will not discharge effluent to surface water.
The NWRF would be located on a greenfield site in the midst of residential areas, subject to tight site constraints. The
design is also required to minimize impacts associated with construction activities. As a result, consideration of new
and alternative process technologies was considered to be highly appropriate. Includes tables.