Flagler Beach Faces $43M Reclaimed Water Upgrade

Flagler Beach is undertaking a substantial initiative to comply with a state law enacted in June 2021, which mandates the establishment of a reclaimed water distribution system by 2032. Currently, all treated wastewater from the city's facility is discharged into the Intracoastal Waterway, as a public reuse network is not yet in place.

The city commission has authorized staff to pursue a $43 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to finance these crucial reclaimed water system improvements. The project is structured in six phases, with the city responsible for a 50-50 match for each phase, amounting to an estimated contribution of over $20 million upon completion.

Key components include a new reclaimed water distribution pump station and the installation of water mains. Specific phases focus on infrastructure along John Anderson Highway, Roberts Road, and South Central Avenue, with the latter being the most costly at $12 million. The city is also exploring integration with neighboring Palm Coast and Bunnell, and seeking state approval for wetland recharge as an alternative disposal method, though current drainage patterns to the Intracoastal limit this option.