St. Johns County Advances Its Largest-Ever Capital Improvement Project
The $191 million State Road 207 Water Reclamation Facility will protect the aquifer and provide safe reclaimed water for irrigation.
The St. Johns County Utilities Department (SJCUD) is making significant progress on the $191.8 million State Road (SR) 207 Water Reclamation Facility, the single largest capital improvement project ever undertaken by the County. The new facility is expected to initially treat 3.25 million gallons per day of wastewater, with the ability to expand to 6.5 million gallons per day in the future. Once operational, it will provide 100% reclaimed water for irrigation and other non-potable uses. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to highlight this important project.
Located west of Interstate 95, at 3055 SR 207 in Elkton, the facility serves a crucial role in improving the area’s wastewater infrastructure and meeting environmental regulations. By using reclaimed water for landscaping and other non-potable purposes, the County will help preserve the aquifer, a finite but essential source of high-quality drinking water, and reduce nutrient discharges into sensitive waterways such as the Matanzas River.
Over the next 20 years, the project is projected to prevent more than one million pounds of nutrient pollutants, including nitrogen and phosphorus, from entering the Matanzas River. The reclaimed water produced at the SR 207 facility is treated to just below drinking water standards, making it safe for irrigation.
“This project allows us to substitute a slightly lower quality of water for irrigation, extending the useful life of our aquifer for many years,” said Alan Flood, Senior Engineer for St. Johns County Utilities Department.
Construction of the SR 207 facility is approximately 75% complete. Most of the concrete work has been finished, with mechanical and electrical installation currently underway. This phase includes the placement of pumps, pipes, blowers, and power systems necessary to bring the plant online. The project also involves significant infrastructure, including a reclaimed water storage and booster pump station, wastewater master pump station, and about 15 miles of large-diameter transmission mains for both wastewater and reclaimed water.
“This facility is a major milestone for St. Johns County Utilities, it is the largest capital project ever undertaken,” Flood said. “It provides us with essential reclaimed water capacity that supports water conservation and protects our natural resources.”
The SR 207 Water Reclamation Facility is being delivered through a progressive design-build contract with Jacobs. Jacobs is a global professional services firm specializing in engineering, architecture, and construction management. Jacobs has extensive experience in delivering complex water infrastructure projects, including over 150 design-build projects in the water sector.
The facility is expected to be completed by Summer 2026 and will help St. Johns County comply with State Senate Bill 64, which mandates the elimination of non-beneficial surface water discharges of treated wastewater into surface water.
Key Aspects of the SR 207 Water Reclamation Facility:
- Purpose: Treat wastewater and produce reclaimed water for reuse, reducing the need for potable water for non-drinking purposes and protecting the Matanzas River.
- Capacity: Initial capacity of 3.25 million gallons per day (MGD), with ability to expand in the future.
- Compliance: Meets requirements of State Senate Bill 64 to reduce nutrient discharges.
- Infrastructure: Includes the Water Reclamation Facility, a reclaimed water booster pump station, wastewater master pump station, and large-diameter transmission mains.
- Design-Build: Progressive contract with Jacobs allows overlap of design and construction phases for faster completion.
- Benefits: Supports sustainable water management, enhances conservation, and diverts a water source for irrigation to protect sensitive waterways.
The facility is scheduled for substantial completion by Summer 2026. St. Johns County Utilities Department continues to work closely with the contractor to ensure the project is delivered on time and ready to serve the community’s long-term water resource needs.
Visit the Featured Projects web page for a full list of St. Johns County capital improvement projects, including detailed information on a project status, timelines, and funding.
Stay Informed on St. Johns County news and Sign up for our e-newsletters
Share:
