Bonita Springs Utilities celebrates completion of Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant expansion
Bonita Springs Utilities recently celebrated the completion of its Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant. The expansion benefits current members through redundancy of treatment plant components and resiliency of the water supply sources, and also enables BSU to keep pace with the population growth in its service area.
The plant expansion portion of this multi-year $60-million project was completed at the end of 2023. The primary components of the expansion include a 47,000-square-foot building addition and the installation of two reverse osmosis treatment trains with energy recovery units, which increases the RO treatment plant capacity from 8.5 million gallons per day to 12.5 million gallons per day. BSU also has an additional capacity of 9.0 million gallons per day through its Lime Softening Water Treatment Plant.
“With this expansion, we are equipped to continue providing high-quality drinking water every day to our members and well-prepared to keep pace with the continuing growth and development in our service area,” said John R. Jenkins, executive director of BSU. “I commend our board and staff for recognizing the need to plan for the future and their dedication to ensuring our water supply remains resilient and uninterrupted.”
BSU was joined by elected officials and engineering partner Jacobs to cut the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the completion of the expansion of the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by BSU board members and staff; elected officials from Lee County, City of Bonita Springs, and Village of Estero; and Jacobs representatives, BSU’s engineering partner on the project.
BSU produces on average approximately 10 million gallons of drinking water every day for its members. During the winter season, that demand exceeds 13 million gallons per day. Water from the lime softening and reverse osmosis is blended together to create clean, award-winning drinking water.
“BSU has a well-earned reputation for excellence,” said Garner, president of BSU board of directors. “That reputation comes from over 50 years of planning to meet the needs of our members, not just for today but for tomorrow as well. This expansion is a perfect example of the hard work BSU undertakes to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our members.”
Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. is a not-for-profit water and wastewater utility cooperative founded by local citizens in 1970. The member-owned utility provides service in the City of Bonita Springs, the Village of Estero and unincorporated South Lee County. The utility is recognized as an industry leader with awards from the American Water Works Association, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Water Environment Association.
For more information, visit the BSU website at www.BSU.us.