Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area

Contracted through EIP’s Pay for Performance model, the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area is designed to provide the State of Florida with a solution to reduce phosphorus destined for Lake Okeechobee.

Excessive phosphorus, primarily from agricultural and urban stormwater runoff from the lake’s watershed, is a major concern for Lake Okeechobee’s water quality as it contributes to harmful algal blooms, which can deplete oxygen levels, harm aquatic life and impact the lake’s ecosystem. We believe the proposed 4,800-acre project may be one of the largest performance-based contracts for the delivery of environmental outcomes in Florida.

EIP has been contracted by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), an agency of the State of Florida, to design, construct, and operate a treatment wetland facility to reduce the threat of cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) in South Florida by capturing and treating water from the Kissimmee River and associated canals within the Lake Okeechobee watershed before runoff and nutrients are discharged into the Lake.

The current Project concept includes seven (7) wetland treatment cells with approximately 3,600 acres of effective treatment area, an electric inflow pump station capable of delivering 600 cubic foot per second, or 390 million gallons per day, into the treatment wetland, perimeter embankments and canals to assist in managing water within and around the Project, and conveyance improvements including new water control structures to ensure continued safe and effective operation of SFWMD’s regional flood protection and water management infrastructure.

Based on long-term hydrologic and water quality modeling performed to date by EIP, the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area is projected to have the potential to remove approximately 20 metric tons.

Under the Pay for Performance model, SFWMD has contracted with EIP to deliver specific milestones for a fixed price. Phase One of the project is comprised of analysis, feasibility and preliminary design activities, which we expect to be complete in 2025. Phase Two, which we expect to start in late 2025, includes final design, permitting, construction, and facility start-up.

In the News

• New water cleaning project aims to improve the health of SWFL water systems (WINK News) 

• SFWMD Projects to Reduce Nutrient Load Entering Lake (Lake Okeechobee News)

• Hybrid filters in STAs could increase phosphorus reduction in water from Kissimmee River (Lake Okeechobee News)

• SFWMD Governing Board Approves Contract to Build Lower Kissimmee Water Quality Project (South Florida Water Management District)