Cherry Hill Phase Three Direct Potable Reuse Feasibility and Pilot Study

Developing an Alternative Water Supply for Central Florida

We performed planning, design, and construction administration of the direct potable reuse pilot facility located at the Cherry Hill Water Production Facility.

The Cherry Hill Water Production Facility was a master-planned project meant to increase Polk County’s water supply and provide an opportunity to investigate direct potable reuse as a future water supply option

The ultimate goal of the project is to use up to 1.5 MGD of reclaimed water for innovative methods and to verify that contaminants can be removed.

Cherry Hill WPF is the first in Florida to conduct feasibility testing at a water treatment plant rather than a wastewater plant.

Client: Polk County Utilities
Location: Lakeland, FL
Services: Engineering
Markets: Water

Cost: $998,873
Completed: Ongoing
Region: Southeast

The population of Polk County, Florida, has been growing exponentially, causing a greater need for a safe, reliable drinking water source. Our firm collaborated with Polk County and the Polk Regional Water Cooperative to develop an alternative water supply to help offset over-pumping groundwater, augment water supply, and reduce environmental impacts in central Florida.

The Cherry Hill Water Production Facility (WPF) was a master-planned project meant to increase the resilience of Polk County’s water supply and provide an opportunity to investigate direct potable reuse (DPR) as a future water supply option. We performed planning, design, and construction administration of the DPR pilot facility located at the Cherry Hill WPF, which is the first in Florida to conduct feasibility testing at a water treatment plant rather than a wastewater plant.

The ultimate goal of the project is to use up to 1.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of reclaimed water for innovative methods and to verify that contaminants can be removed while adhering to rigorous state and federal drinking water standards.

The pilot facility completed generating data over 12 months. Polk County will continue to operate the facility to educate visitors about DPR’s viability as a safe, reliable drinking water source.

1.5

MGD of reclaimed water