Delivering Innovative Groundwater Desalination Solutions in Central Florida

Challenge

Florida’s growing population and limited freshwater aquifer supplies pose challenges for water utilities to provide consistent drinking water to its customers. Four major utilities within the high-growth I-4 corridor—Toho Water Authority, Orange County Utilities, the City of St. Cloud, and Polk County Utilities—formed the Water Cooperative of Central Florida to develop a regional water supply strategy. To meet current and future water demand, the utility partners proposed the development of a facility that could treat 37.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of brackish groundwater as an alternative water supply, producing up to 34 MGD of drinking water. The facility also needed to meet regulatory requirements, water quality standards, and long-term resiliency goals.

Solution

Using our Leading with Science® approach, Tetra Tech led the concept plan, design, and permitting of the Cypress Lake Alternative Water Supply Project. Our engineers developed a phased plan combining a wellfield, transmission system, and reverse osmosis (RO) treatment facility to convert brackish groundwater into a reliable supply of drinking water. The design incorporates robust storage, pumping, and concentrate management systems that improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and support long-term performance.

The facility has an initial capacity of 17 MGD, with a planned expansion to 34 MGD that would make it the largest inland brackish groundwater facility in the United States. Through its final design and permitting efforts, Tetra Tech is advancing one of Florida’s largest alternative water supply projects—addressing both immediate needs and long-term growth across Central Florida.