PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The city of Port St. Lucie is looking to build a new water treatment center off Discover Way. City staff told WPTV's Tyler Hatfield the facility will help prevent any future shortages at the city continues to grow.
WATCH BELOW: 'Bringing another one online will provide additional storage capacity,' Kevin Matyjaszek tells WPTV's Tyler Hatfield
On Monday, city council unanimously approved a design contract for the new water treatment facility, which will act as a reverse osmosis plant, named Discover Water Treatment Facility.
"We've been long planning for this expansion and having the capacity, so that our residents and customers are confident in our ability to serve them quality water,” said Kevin Matyjaszek, utility systems director for the city of Port St. Lucie.
Matyjaszek said it will help serve the western side of Port St. Lucie and additional growth around the city.
“It's long been planned for the expansion to help support the growth of the community, as well as future water demands, fire protection, etc., that water is used for,” said Matyjaszek.
The city already has three water treatment facilities with a capacity of 42 million gallons a day. Daily, they fill the demand for 23 million gallons. This new facility will support demand by adding 10 million gallons, with opportunity to expand even more.
"Bringing another one online will provide additional storage capacity,” said Matyjaszek. “Water that's ready to be consumed.”
Matyjaszek said they have enough water for neighbors now, but his team is looking out for potential neighbors for the years to come.
"The city has long looked 50, 100 years out on future utility needs,” said Matyjazszek. "Not having the additional facility may limit the ability to serve potential future customers."
The city said the project is estimated to cost over $200 million and will be fully operational by 2030.
