The City of Winter Springs is addressing equipment issues at the East Wastewater Treatment Plant that are affecting reclaimed irrigation water service for some customers, primarily on the east side of the City. This article explains what’s happening, what we’re doing to fix it, and what residents can do in the meantime.
What’s the Issue?
The East plant’s final sand filters—the last step to polish water before it’s used as reclaimed irrigation water—are not working properly:
- In two of the four filters, much of the specialized sand media has been lost.
- Internal parts called weir plates, which control how the filters backwash, are broken or missing.
- Without these parts working correctly, sand is washed out instead of staying in place, and the plant cannot reliably meet the strict water quality standard for reclaimed water (especially total suspended solids, or TSS).
To stay in compliance with state regulations, more water is being sent to disposal sites (RIBs), rather than out to customers as reclaimed irrigation water.
How Is the City Fixing It?
The City, its utilities operator, and engineering consultants have initiated an emergency repair project:
- Replace and repair internal components in the affected filters (including weir plates).
- Refill all filters with the correct specialized filter sand designed for this system.
- This repair is intended to keep the plant operating for the next couple of years, until the new wastewater treatment plant is built and online.
This is not a temporary patch with generic materials—it requires precise components and sand specified by the original filter manufacturer.
How Long Will It Take?
The schedule depends largely on the supply of the specialized sand:
- The manufacturer’s current estimate for the sand is about 3–4 weeks.
- Once the sand arrives, the manufacturer expects it will take weeks to complete all work on the four filters.
- As soon as 1–2 filters are fully repaired and refilled, the City expects to see improving reclaimed water performance, depending on flows and conditions at the plant.
Based on what was shared at the March 9 City Commission meeting, residents should anticipate a roughly month‑long period of noticeable impact, though conditions will be monitored closely throughout.
What Does This Mean for Reclaimed Irrigation?
Because the plant cannot consistently produce reclaimed water that meets the tighter customer standard, more flow is being routed to disposal mode:
- This results in limited and inconsistent reclaimed irrigation service, especially in certain east‑side neighborhoods.
- Areas east of Tuskawilla Crossings and around the East plant are most likely to feel these impacts.
When the plant is in disposal mode, switching back to reclaimed is not a quick flip of a switch. The system must be flushed and proven to meet reclaimed standards again, which can take hours or more than a day.
Regulatory Compliance
- The City and its operators are actively communicating with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
- At this time, the plant is operating within its disposal permit limits.
- If disposal operations fall out of permit, the City will notify DEP as required.
What Residents Can Do Now
While repairs are in progress, residents—especially those on the east side—can help reduce strain on the system:
- For critical plants or landscaping, use handheld hoses or sprinklers on your potable (drinking water) system if reclaimed irrigation is not available.
- Whenever possible, adjust watering schedules to take advantage of rainfall.
- Watch for City updates as we receive firm dates from the manufacturer and track progress on repairs.
Why Invest in Repairs If a New Plant Is Coming?
The East plant is an aging facility and has been a known source of operational challenges. However, the new wastewater treatment plant will take a couple of years to construct.
These repairs are necessary to:
- Maintain regulatory compliance.
- Provide the best reclaimed irrigation service possible during the transition.
- Reduce the risk of more severe service disruptions.
What areas are affected?
