Water Treatment Plant

The Water Treatment Division operates and maintains the Shell Creek Water Treatment Facility, which treats and supplies potable water to Punta Gorda Utility customers. The plant is currently rated at 10.0 MGD (Million Gallons per Day). The division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water plant, Burnt Store Isles Elevated Storage Tank, and the Punta Gorda Isles Ground Storage Tank and Booster Pumping Station. The Water Treatment Division continues to respond to increased requirements relating to water management, water quality and treatment standards required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and other regulatory agencies.

The division is comprised of both an operations and a maintenance work unit. There are eight (8) state certified drinking water operators and one Chief Operator in the operations group; and three (3) maintenance personnel and one Maintenance Chief in the maintenance group; for a total of 14 employees including the Plant Supervisor. The plant is staffed with a certified operator 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Annual Accomplishments
The primary function of the operations division is to treat and monitor the 1.7 billion gallons of raw water that is treated on an annual basis, and ensure that it meets all the FDEP regulations. The primary function of the maintenance division is to maintain all plant equipment so that the plant is operational at all times. Both divisions are always looking at new techniques and equipment to improve water quality, provide sufficient capacity for future growth, and to lower the cost of treating water. There are many improvements planned in the future for the Water Treatment Division. These improvements include the replacement of a 45 year old Dam structure, addition of a ground water supply coupled with a membrane process to improve the quality of the finished water, and planning for expansion of the facilities to provide sufficient capacity for growth. These improvements are intended to provide potable water for growth while still maintaining a quality product for public consumption.

Utilities Water Treatment Plant
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone (941) 639-2057
Fax (941) 639-9491
E-mail: utility@ci.punta-gorda.fl.us