“Okaloosa County has steadily worked to improve infrastructure as our population grows,” County Commission Chairman Paul Mixon said in a news release on Thursday. “This new facility recognizes the forward-thinking of our Water & Sewer staff and it will provide the necessary sewer service required for residents in the area while also providing opportunities for businesses who may want to take advantage of the amenities at the Shoal River Ranch.”
The new facility is a major step forward in expanding wastewater treatment capacity for future needs in north Okaloosa County. The facility will include all the components of a state-of-the-art plant, other related infrastructure needs, on-site effluent disposal, and future public access reclaimed water for irrigation and industrial use. This environmental project will allow for new subdivisions in this part of the county to be on public sewer, as opposed to septic tanks.
The initial phase will have the capacity to process 1.25 million gallons of wastewater per day, with some of the components having a higher capacity, to allow for easier expansion in the future. The overall program also includes a site access road, along with extensions of water, sewer and fiber lines.
The new plant has multiple funding sources, including federal and state grants and a state legislative appropriation. It will be built on 20 acres of property and is expected to be completed in late 2026.