BSU honored with award for excellence in utility plant operations

The Southeast Desalting Association named Bonita Springs Utilities Inc.’s East Water Reclamation Facility the winner of its 2025 Outstanding Membrane Plant Award in the Southeast United States in the small facility category. The award recognizes outstanding plant operations and maintenance and exemplary membrane bioreactor treatment performance. The small facility category is presented to a plant that treats less than five million gallons of wastewater per day.

“We are incredibly proud of our operations staff, and the East Water Reclamation Facility team in particular, for receiving this award,” said Andy Koebel, BSU executive director. “Our East Water Reclamation Facility staff, led by Operations Director Don Woodruff and Plant Manager Jake Hepokoski, work hard every single day to maintain the facility.”

The Southeast Desalting Association formed in 1994 as an affiliate of the American Membrane Technology Association. SEDA is dedicated to the improvement of the quality of water supplies through membrane desalting and filtration, water reuse, and other water sciences.SEDA noted BSU’s extensive Water Conservation Program underscores its dedication to sustainability and its commitment to public education promoting awareness of water supply, quality, treatment and reuse. BSU’s EWRF facility stands as a model of efficiency and environmental responsibility.

The East Water Reclamation Facility can treat 4 million gallons per day, converting 100% of the wastewater into irrigation water and fertilizer pellets, with the capacity to expand to 16 million gallons per day. BSU frequently hosts plant tours to wastewater industry staff and consultants to demonstrate its membrane technology and dryer system biosolids disposal.
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 www.BSU.us.