Northeast Water Reclamation Facility Improvements

Project typeFacility Improvements
Project cost$18.4 million
Project scheduleConstruction began in June 2021, and the project is substantially complete.
Contractor namePoole & Kent Company of Florida
Completion DateMay 31, 2023

This webpage was updated at 9:14 a.m. Jan. 3, 2025.

The Northeast Water Reclamation Facility Improvements Project involved upgrades and replacement of existing wastewater treatment facilities and processes, which 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, new filters for primary treatment, a new grit removal system, new sludge blending tanks, and other associated work.
Pulsed air mixing system installation and hydrostatic test and prep/form for pumps are all completed.
Primary sludge pipework was completed.
Pickett thickeners structural work is complete, and grit removal structures were poured. Head cell installation began and is expected through early June. The odor control system was partially demolished and has since been restored.
Headworks bypass plan has been approved and completed. Bypass piping, pumps, taps, and grit removal were installed.

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.

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.