Leesburg city commissioners unanimously approved two resolutions this week totaling $43.876 million to expand the Turnpike Wastewater Treatment Facility and improve lift station #72.
The Turnpike Wastewater Treatment facility capacity had been increased in 2022 from 3 million gallons per day to treat 4.5 million gallons per day under phase one of the expansion program. The projected growth in that area of the city caused by the expansion of The Villages necessitated that the plant be expanded to 6 million gallons per day capacity. The turnpike treatment facility expansion is budgeted to cost no more than $39.884 million and will be managed by the Wharton-Smith Inc. company Of Sanford.
The city commissioners also authorized improvements to lift station #72 which is located on County Road 48 at the Lake Harris Shopping Center. City Manager Al Minner identified it as another high-growth area in the city. Lift station #72 accepts and transfers 90 percent of the wastewater in the southern sewer shed. Recent reports indicated that the lift station was reaching capacity and could only handle 100 more new homes. Growth projections have estimated as many as 15,000 new homes may be added to the area served by this lift station.
Wharton-Smith Inc. will act as the construction manager on this project which will cost the city no more than $3.992 million.
