Wastewater Plant Operations
Seminole County Utilities maintains two water reclamation facilities to collect and treat wastewater and distribute it as reclaimed water to be used for irrigation. Utilities crews work diligently to maintain the equipment at County facilities as well as the water and sewer lines across the County.
How does it work? First, raw sewage is collected and pumped through force mains to the treatment facility. Larger particles such as rags and grit are removed before sending the sewage to oxidation ditches for treatment. Microorganisms use the sewage for food and produce a stabilized sludge as a byproduct. This pressed sludge is then transported by a contractor to the Seminole County Landfill for disposal. In 2023, the monthly average was 853 tons at 13% solids.
Next, the remaining liquid, or effluent, is filtered, then disinfected with sodium hypochlorite before it is distributed as reclaimed water for irrigation purposes. The quality of this water is continuously monitored for turbidity, pH, and chlorine. Learn more about the benefits and safety of irrigating with Reclaimed Water.
Greenwood Lakes Water Reclamation Facility
The Greenwood Lakes Water Reclamation Facility, located in Lake Mary, treats approximately 840 million gallons of wastewater per year. Of this total, more than 700 million gallons become reclaimed water for irrigation.
Yankee Lake Water Reclamation Facility
The Yankee Lake Water Reclamation Facility, located in Sanford, treats more than 900 million gallons of wastewater per year, with virtually all of it being used as reclaimed water. This facility’s location acts as a preserve of more than 3,000 acres of conservation lands along the St. Johns River, including the adjacent Black Bear Wilderness Area. It is also a habitat preserve for the endangered Florida Scrub Jay.