Sep 43 min read

North Cape Coral Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant Tour

Cape Coral has a reverse osmosis facility on Kismet Parkway

Join us on a tour of the North Cape Coral Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Treatment Plant, where we produce high-quality drinking water for Cape Coral. Our city uses brackish groundwater and two RO plants to ensure a reliable water supply. The well next to me is drilled about 800 feet deep, compared to residential wells which are only 100-150 feet. We pump 5,000 to 7,000 gallons per minute from the well field into the plant through a 36-inch line, where it first passes through 5-micron filters to remove sand and silt.

Next, the filtered water enters our production trains, which use membranes to separate salt from potable water. The North RO plant has four trains, each capable of processing 3 million gallons per day. In the final treatment stages, we remove hydrogen sulfide gas and disinfect the water before distributing it to residents. The treated water is stored in a massive 12-million-gallon tank—one of the largest in Florida.

VALUE DELIVERED

Professional installation of an advanced reverse osmosis system
Efficient coordination with other contractors
Increased water supply capacity for a growing population
Accommodates future growth
Significant cost savings and professional recognition

CLIENT OBJECTIVES To address the increased water resource needs of a rapidly growing population.

SCOPE OF SERVICES During the 1990s, Cape Coral saw a nearly 60% population increase, straining water resources and infrastructure. The city contracted Poole & Kent for the construction of a new 12-million-gallon-per-day (mgd) low-pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) water treatment plant. Key components included:

Five-micron raw-water pre-treatment filters
A 12-mgd LPRO process with four 2.5-mgd membrane skids
Anti-scalant and sulfuric acid storage systems
Two permeate degasifiers
A 70,000-gallon finished-water clearwell
High-service pump stations
Infrastructure designed for future expansion to 36 mgd

SOLUTIONS This project was part of a larger initiative that won Engineering News Record’s “Southeast Best of 2011” award in the civil works/infrastructure category.

BACKGROUND Cape Coral, Florida’s third-largest city by area, had a population of 154,305 in 2010, expanding to 400,000 with surrounding areas included. The Water Production Division manages the 18.0 MGD Southwest RO Water Treatment Plant, the 12 MGD North Cape Coral RO Plant, and associated raw water wells.

Drinking Water Issues? For issues related to water pressure, odor, taste, or color, call: 239-242-3410.

RO Production Trains The RO production trains feature advanced technology for treating raw water. Initially, sulfuric acid and scale inhibitors are added to prevent membrane scaling. The water then passes through cartridge filters to remove particulates. The feed water is treated under high pressure to separate usable product water from concentrate. Approximately 80% of the feed water is recovered as usable product, while 20% is discharged as concentrate.

The history of Cape Coral utilities at a glance

In 1977, Cape Coral became the first municipality in the United States to use the reverse osmosis process on a large scale with an initial operating capacity of 3 million gallons per day.