FPUA Hosts Ribbon-Cutting for Mainland WRF

On January 9, 2025, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority welcomed more than 200 guests to the ribbon cutting of the Mainland Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility, marking a major milestone in the community’s long-term wastewater program. Attendees included elected officials, project partners, collaborators, FPUA staff, family members, and community residents, all coming together to celebrate a project that has been years in the making.

The decision to relocate wastewater treatment off South Hutchinson Island began when residents raised important questions about environmental protection, storm risk, and long-term sustainability. Those conversations guided how this program was planned, funded, and delivered. What started as community advocacy grew into one of the most significant environmental and infrastructure investments in Fort Pierce’s history.

That spirit of collaboration was reflected throughout the day’s program, which featured leadership and technical voices from across the project, including FPUA leadership, operations staff, engineers, and development partners, along with elected officials representing the community this facility serves.

Guests were invited to explore the new facility through self-guided indoor tours, allowing them to walk through key areas such as the state-of-the-art laboratory and the main control room, dedicated in honor of Rupert N. Koblegard III, who served as General Counsel for Fort Pierce Utilities Authority for 27 years. Mr. Koblegard was a lifelong Fort Pierce resident whose legal leadership and dedication to the utility helped guide decades of progress, governance, and community trust. The control room now bearing his name stands as a lasting tribute to his impact on FPUA and the community it serves. Guided outdoor golf cart tours also took attendees across the site, offering a closer look at the scale of the infrastructure and the systems now in place to support resilient, modern wastewater treatment.

The event also featured an on-site information fair where FPUA departments involved in the project, including engineering, operations, environmental services, communications, and customer programs, shared how their teams contributed to bringing the facility to this milestone. Project partners Globaltech, TLC Diversified, Haskell, Aqua-Aerobic, and Sea & Shoreline were also present alongside FPUAnet  and the Manatee Center, creating an interactive space for guests to learn about the technology, environmental benefits, and community impact of the program.

The celebration also highlighted the creativity and pride of Fort Pierce. Local artists and students who contributed artwork to FPUA’s 2026 community calendar joined us to showcase their work and help commemorate this moment. Their artwork reflects the people, landscapes, and values this project was designed to protect.

We extend special thanks to Mayor Linda Hudson, the Fort Pierce City Commission, Representative Dana Trabulsy, Senator Erin Grall, Congressman Brian Mast, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their leadership and support in helping move this project forward.

We also recognize our project partners , Globaltech, Inc., Haskell and Hazen, the site designers and build team; TLC Diversified, Inc., re-routing the conveyance system to redirect wastewater flows away from the Indian River Lagoon; Kimley-Horn, the conveyance system designers, and the sub-contractors who worked so hard to keep this project safe and on schedule.

This week’s ribbon cutting demonstrated what is possible when a community, its leaders, and its partners align around a shared vision for environmental protection, resilience, and long-term service for Fort Pierce.

While this milestone marks the completion of the first major phase, 17 conveyance projects are now moving forward to redirect wastewater flows to the new facility and complete the full systemwide transition in the years ahead.

Ribbon-cutting attendees were able to take tours of the new facility after the ceremony concluded.

Follow all the construction progress of the new Mainland Water.

Reclamation Facility at: https://www.sustainablesewer.net/wastewaterwednesdays

Take a virtual tour of the new Mainland Wastewater Reclamation Facility at:

https://www.sustainablesewer.net/videos

Thank you as always for your support and interest!