The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved a $41.6 million contract last Tuesday to construct a new wastewater treatment plant that officials say is crucial for future growth in the north end of the county.
- The board voted to award the contract to J&P Construction Co. to build the Shoal River Ranch Water Reclamation Facility, which will have an initial capacity of 1.25 million gallons per day and be expandable up to 10 million gallons per day.
Water and Sewer Director Michael Hackett said the plant has been “a long time in the making” and will be critical for industrial and residential growth in the area.
“Even from an environmental standpoint, this project will allow us to be less reliant on septic systems for future growth,” Hackett told commissioners.
The facility will be built on a 20-acre site and is designed to produce reuse water. Hackett said the plant’s expandable design will save money on future expansions.
Commissioner Nathan Boyles praised the project as the county “leaning forward” to accommodate growth pressures in the north end of Okaloosa County.
- “When you’re staying ahead of things, sometimes you’re going to have people that are going to point their finger and go, ‘Why are you building that now?‘” Boyles said. “Those are the same folks who would be pointing their finger in 10 years going, ‘Why didn’t you build that 10 years ago?‘”
The contract includes a $750,000 contingency for unanticipated costs. Construction is expected to be substantially completed within 710 days, with an additional 90 days allowed for final completion.
Approximately $28 million of the project has been grant-funded through various sources, including federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, RESTORE Act funds, and a state appropriation.
The board amended the contract to increase liquidated damages for delays from $250 per day to $1,000 per day at Boyles’ request. Commissioners also directed staff to develop a unified policy for calculating liquidated damages on future county contracts.
