The Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility (BRWRF) Expansion and Conversion to Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) Project in Sarasota County, Florida, has earned an Envision Gold award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). This recognition underscores the County’s commitment to sustainability and its positive impact on the growing Sarasota community.
The Envision framework provides a comprehensive set of criteria for assessing infrastructure sustainability. The project earned gold recognition for excellence in several key areas:
- Environmental stewardship: Rehabilitation of on-site wetlands and reduction of nutrientdischarges to protect local water bodies and ecosystems.
- Climate resilience: Design features to withstand sea-level rise and increased storm intensity.
- Resource efficiency: Implementation of robust water reuse systems and beneficial use of construction waste.
- Community benefits: Continuous community engagement and greater availability of reclaimed water to support population growth and economic development.
The 140-acre BRWRF, originally constructed in the 1990s, is being transformed into a state-of-the-art water reclamation facility. The project will increase treatment capacity by 50% – from 12 to 18 million gallons per day based on maximum monthly flows – while implementing advanced wastewater treatment technologies, including biological nutrient removal basins and Florida’s largest membrane bioreactor system. These upgrades will significantly reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharges – two pollutants that can contribute to algae growth in waterways – and produce high-quality water to reduce groundwater withdrawal impacts.
The project’s highly technical scope required innovative approaches to engineering design and financing. To minimize the financial impact on its customers, Sarasota County successfully acquired a $105M Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act low-interest loan. This federal funding support helps utilities deliver critical infrastructure improvements while maintaining affordable utility rates.
The project also incorporates comprehensive resilience features to protect against extreme weather events while maintaining operational continuity. These include:
- Enhanced flood protection through additional stormwater basins and elevated facilities one foot above the 100-year flood elevation.
- Hurricane-resistant construction designed to withstand Category 5 sustained winds.
- Advanced SCADA network upgrades enable automated and remote operation.
- Integrated real-time monitoring systems with automated alarms for immediate operator response.
- Redundant power supplies with uninterrupted backup systems for continuous operation during utility failures.
The project is a collaborative effort involving several key partners. As the project owner, Sarasota County has driven this vital infrastructure upgrade. The County retained Carollo Engineers as the primary designer, supporting Garney Construction as the construction manager at risk. This alternative project delivery structure was selected to expedite the schedule and meet the County’s goal of planning, designing, and building the enhanced facility by the end of 2025.
Sarasota County Public Utilities Assistant Utility Director Gregory Rouse emphasized the significance of the award:
“The prestigious Envision Gold award—a first for a Florida wastewater treatment facility—reflects the vision and leadership of Sarasota County’s Board of Commissioners and the strong support of our community in prioritizing sustainable infrastructure. This recognition underscores the County’s dedication to essential services and creating a lasting legacy for future generations. We are deeply proud of our commitment to environmental stewardship and extend our gratitude to the design and construction teams whose collaborative efforts made this achievement possible.”
With improved effluent quality, the County can confidently comply with current and future regulations while gaining flexibility in its water reuse options, including the sustainable use of reclaimed water for irrigation, local aquifer recharge, and the potential for future indirect potable reuse.
Carollo Project Manager Jody Barksdale commented, “Sarasota County’s achievement of the Envision Gold award highlights their pioneering approach to sustainable infrastructure development. This project goes beyond expanding capacity; it sets a new benchmark for sustainable water management and environmental stewardship. It exemplifies how innovative engineering and a commitment to sustainability can create a facility that meets current demands and paves the way for a resilient and adaptive water future for decades to come.
