State Road 207 Water Reclamation Facility Celebrated with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Project expected to conserve 13 billion gallons of water over 20 years while protecting local waterways
Key Points
- Conserving drinking water: The facility produces reclaimed water for irrigation and is expected to conserve 13 billion gallons of water over 20 years, reducing demand on the Floridan Aquifer.
- Protecting local waterways: The project is expected to prevent more than one million pounds of nutrients from entering the Matanzas River over 20 years.
- Meeting future community needs: The facility treats up to 3.25 million gallons of wastewater daily, with the ability to expand capacity to 6.5 million gallons per day.
St. Johns County officials joined project partners on October 15, 2026, to celebrate the State Road 207 Water Reclamation Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The facility expands wastewater treatment and reclaimed water capacity while conserving drinking water supplies and protecting local waterways. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to highlighting the ceremony and this important project.
Located at 3055 State Road 207 in Elkton, the facility came online May 11, 2026. It has an initial treatment capacity of 3.25 million gallons per day, with the ability to expand to 6.5 million gallons per day to meet future community needs.
“We have to consider what our community needs will be years into the future and make decisions that put us in a position to meet those needs responsibly,” said Clay Murphy, Chair and District 3 Commissioner of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners. “This facility is a good example of that kind of long-term planning.”
The facility treats wastewater and produces reclaimed water for irrigation, reducing demand on the Floridan Aquifer, the region’s primary source of drinking water. Over the next 20 years, the project is expected to prevent more than one million pounds of nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, from entering the Matanzas River.
“This facility and the professionals who planned it, designed it, built it and who will operate it are a testament to our strategic plan, which in part states to serve and invest in our community through innovative leadership and high-quality services,” said Ann Taylor, Vice-Chair and District 5 Commissioner of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners.
During the ceremony, Neal Shinkre, Director of St. Johns County Utilities, highlighted how the project connects essential utility services with environmental stewardship and water conservation. He also encouraged residents to consider their own role in conserving water.
“What can you do individually to help the cause of water conservation?” Shinkre said.
In addition to the facility, the project included the Watson Road Master Wastewater Pump Station, the Tillman Ridge Reclaimed Water Booster Pump Station and approximately 15 miles of wastewater and reclaimed water pipelines connecting the facilities to the County’s utility system. Jacobs delivered the project through a progressive design-build contract.
The $191.8 million project, the largest capital improvement project in County history, was funded through the St. Johns County Utilities enterprise fund, which is supported by utility revenues rather than property taxes.
This investment advances the St. Johns County Strategic Plan by investing in resilient infrastructure, protecting natural resources and enhancing quality of life for current and future residents.
Stay informed of more St. Johns County news by subscribing to our e-newsletters and learn how we’re shaping our community’s future by advancing the SJC Strategic Plan through the Office of Public Affairs.
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