Water and sewer director says Shoal River plant on schedule and highlights system upgrades
July 09, 2025 | Okaloosa County, Florida
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Mike Hackett, Okaloosa County’s water and sewer director, presented the utility’s fiscal 2026 proposals and reported progress on major capital projects, including the Shoal River Water Reclamation Facility.
Hackett said the department’s five‑year rate structure supports an expected $13.6 million capital improvement plan for FY26 and noted a roughly 4.3% increase in requested spending over the prior year; he said revenue projections cover the request while maintaining a target reserve equal to about six months of operating expenses.
Key accomplishments and projects: the Shoal River reclamation plant’s chlorine-contact-chamber foundations have been poured and major elements of the plant are under construction; the Shoal River project is on budget and scheduled for completion in 2026. The department recently finished two WWTP upgrades (solids handling and an absorption bed project) and has rehabilitated 14 of 21 wells in the past five years. The utility has completed 45 miles of pipe lining with roughly 32 miles left in the current program. Hackett said in‑house crews saved an estimated $2–3 million by performing parts of the Shoal River site work internally.
Hackett also described lift‑station rehabilitation plans (28 stations targeted for replacement or rehab by 2028), tank rehabilitation and plans for new water tanks and wells to build redundancy in the system. He told commissioners the Shoal River facility will provide additional capacity and said the plant will be vital to accommodate North End growth and the pending Williams International project.
Discussion vs. action: the presentation laid out projects and the rate-backed financing approach; commissioners did not adopt new rates during the workshop. Hackett said some projects are grant-eligible and staff will pursue funding and continue design work.
Ending: the Shoal River plant and related projects will return to the board with regular updates and any grant-match requests.
Hackett said the department’s five‑year rate structure supports an expected $13.6 million capital improvement plan for FY26 and noted a roughly 4.3% increase in requested spending over the prior year; he said revenue projections cover the request while maintaining a target reserve equal to about six months of operating expenses.
Key accomplishments and projects: the Shoal River reclamation plant’s chlorine-contact-chamber foundations have been poured and major elements of the plant are under construction; the Shoal River project is on budget and scheduled for completion in 2026. The department recently finished two WWTP upgrades (solids handling and an absorption bed project) and has rehabilitated 14 of 21 wells in the past five years. The utility has completed 45 miles of pipe lining with roughly 32 miles left in the current program. Hackett said in‑house crews saved an estimated $2–3 million by performing parts of the Shoal River site work internally.
Hackett also described lift‑station rehabilitation plans (28 stations targeted for replacement or rehab by 2028), tank rehabilitation and plans for new water tanks and wells to build redundancy in the system. He told commissioners the Shoal River facility will provide additional capacity and said the plant will be vital to accommodate North End growth and the pending Williams International project.
Discussion vs. action: the presentation laid out projects and the rate-backed financing approach; commissioners did not adopt new rates during the workshop. Hackett said some projects are grant-eligible and staff will pursue funding and continue design work.
Ending: the Shoal River plant and related projects will return to the board with regular updates and any grant-match requests.
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