St. Johns County is stepping up its infrastructure game with a significant electrical upgrade at the Marsh Landing Wastewater Treatment Plant. The initiative, which is part of the County's Capital Improvement Plan, is targeted at giving the facility a much-needed electrical revamp to bolster its reliability and meet future expansion needs. As per a report by the St. Johns County's Office of Public Affairs, the plant, operational since the 1980s, is set for a transformation with a $2.3 million investment.
According to the St. Johns County's news release, residents previously served by the Ponte Vedra Utility before its 2005 acquisition, by the County will see the plant's existing but antiquated electrical infrastructure replaced with a modern motor control center (MCC). The replacement includes a new electrical building that will house the MCC and a duct bank that connects the MCC to the current equipment, improving resilience, particularly during extreme weather events. "What we’re doing out here is replacing aging electrical equipment and preparing the plant for the future," Kevin Ledbetter, Senior Engineer for St. Johns County Utilities, told officials.
The project, now in the phase of procuring equipment with long lead times like the precast building and electrical gear, is expected to begin construction after these components are delivered. The aim is to bring the system up to current codes and bolster its capacity to grow along with the surrounding community. A new duct bank is part of the construction plan, facilitating the smooth transition of power to a generator when needed, which could be a real game-changer in terms of readiness for power outages.
Completion of the upgrade is eyed for Fall 2026, until which time the plant will keep running on its existing auxiliary generator. "This new system is going to run all of the equipment at the plant automatically and efficiently," Ledbetter explained. And if a storm knocks out power, the generator will kick in and keep the plant operating smoothly. After assessing the full scope of future power needs, the County will decide on retaining or upgrading the backup system, enhancing the WWTP's overall efficiency and dependability, as per the St. Johns County's news release.
