Commissioned in 2009 the Big Coppitt Wastewater Treatment Plant serves Rockland Key, Big Coppitt Key, Geiger Key and Shark Key. The plant treats flows of approximately 129,000 gallons per day to the stringent Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) standards, ensuring discharges do not exceed 3 mg/L of nitrogen and 1 mg/L of Phosphorous. Through this process approximately 97% of nutrients (total nitrogen, total phosphorous, total suspended solids and biological oxygen demand) are removed prior to any discharge to the injection well system. To further minimize this discharge the effluent receives tertiary treatment, producing high quality reclaimed water that is distributed to residents and business for use in non-potable applications such as irrigation, car washing and boat washing. This last step further reduces nutrient discharges and saves valuable potable water resources that would have been otherwise expended for these non-potable uses.
Located at mile Marker 5 in the Florida Keys the aging Key Haven Wastewater system was acquired by the FKAA in 2009. Treatment and collection system improvements have been made to maintain operation but, due to the small size of the system and the proximity to more advanced wastewater facilities, this plant will be decommissioned and the flows will be redirected to a facility with a higher level of nutrient removal in the foreseeable future.
Located at mile marker 68 in Long Key the Norman Anderson Water Quality Improvement Facility was placed online in 2006 thanks in large part to the efforts of this progressive small city. Currently serving the city limits as well as the Long Key State Park, the collection system is currently being expanded to include properties on both the east and west end of Long Key. When the expansion is complete it is expected the facility will treat 35,000 gallons of wastewater per day and remove approximately 95% of nutrients (total nitrogen, total phosphorous, total suspended solids and biological oxygen demand) prior to discharge into the injection well.
LONG KEY CONNECTION INFORMATION
Connections for Long Key are scheduled to commence in June 2017. Information regarding the connection process including connection instructions, funding assistance, issuance of connection notifications as well as information on the option to convert a septic tank into a cistern are all provided below.
Connection Packets
The below connection packets are intended to provide the basic information needed to connect a home to the central wastewater system.
• Long Key LPS Wastewater Packet 2017-Jun-02
• Long Key Commercial Connection Requirement Summary Document 2017-June-05.pdf
Sewer Connection Funding Assistance
Funding assistance is available for income-eligible single-family and multi-family housing units located in Monroe County. Additional details can be found here. CDBG grant information.
Septic Tank to Cistern Conversion Option
One of the benefits of connecting to the Central Wastewater System is the opportunity it provides to convert your septic tank into a cistern. For slightly more than the cost of septic tank abandonment you can utilize your tank to capture rainwater for use in landscape watering, car washing, boat washing, motor flushing, and pressure washing. Rebates up to $500 are available. See the links below for additional information.
• Septic to Cistern Instructions
• Cistern Rebate Brochure
• Cistern Rebate Application
• Abandonment/Conversion Code
The FKAA assumed owner and operator responsibilities of the Duck Key Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2006. Extensive upgrades were completed in 2012 increasing capacity and improving treatment to the stringent Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) standards, ensuring discharges do not exceed 3 mg/L of nitrogen and 1 mg/L of Phosphorous. The facility now treats approximately 138,000 gallons of wastewater per day, removing approximately 97% of nutrients (total nitrogen, total phosphorous, total suspended solids and biological oxygen demand) prior to discharge in the injection well. To further minimize this discharge the effluent receives tertiary treatment, producing high quality reclaimed water that is distributed to residents and business for use in non-potable applications such as irrigation, car washing and boat washing. This last step further reduces nutrient discharges and saves valuable potable water resources that would have been otherwise expended for these non-potable uses.
Commissioned in 2005 the Bay Point Wastewater Treatment System is located at mile marker 15 and serves the Bay Point and Blue Water communities. The plant treats flows of approximately 30,500 gallons per day to the Best Available Technology (BAT) treatment standards, ensuring discharges of nitrogen and phosphorous do not exceed 10 mg/L and 1 mg/L respectively. Through this process approximately 98% of nutrients (total nitrogen, total phosphorous, total suspended solids and biological oxygen demand) are removed prior to any discharge to the injection well system.
The Navy wastewater systems, located in Key West and Boca Chica Key, were acquired by the FKAA in 2016. Treatment and collection system improvements have been made to maintain operation but, due to the small size of the systems and the proximity to more advanced wastewater facilities, these plants will be decommissioned and the flows will be redirected to facilities with a higher level of nutrient removal in the foreseeable future.
What is Reclaimed Water?
Reclaimed water, sometimes called recycled water, is former wastewater that has been highly treated and disinfected so that it can be safely used
for non-potable (non-drinking) uses, such as irrigation, vehicle washing and aesthetic fountains. Reclaimed water is delivered through a
completely separate system of piping than potable (drinking) water, and can be easily distinguished by the required purple pipe. Meeting the
strictest guidelines set forth by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, reclaimed water is a safe and cost-efficient alternative
for conserving our valuable freshwater supply. The following links provide informational brochures detailing our reclaimed water service.
• Big Coppitt Regional Reclaimed Water Brochure
• Duck Key Reclaimed Water Brochure
Where is Reclaimed Water service available?
Big Coppitt Key / Rockland Key / Shark Key (Big Coppitt Regional Wastewater District) -- Currently, reclaimed water service is available on a first come,
first served basis within certain sections of the Big Coppitt Regional Waterwater District. The link below provides a map of the Big Coppitt reclaimed water service area.
Duck Key -- Reclaimed water service is available to all of Duck Key. Residents are welcome to review the above Reclaimed Water Brochure and return the reclaimed water service
request portion to the FKAA. The link below provides a map of the Duck Key reclaimed water service area.
• Big Coppitt Regional Service Area
• Duck Key Service Area
More About Reclaimed Water
The following links will help you better understand reclaimed water and how to connect to the Reclaimed System.
• How Can I Use Reclaimed Water?
• How Do I Connect To The Reclaimed System?
• Additional Reclaimed Water FAQ's
Additional information may be found by navigating to More About Us or by calling 305-296-2454.
The map below illustrates the seven wastewater districts currently managed by FKAA. Click a district on the map to learn more about it.