Tour of Mount Dora Water Water Reclamation Facility: Guest Post by Amber Perretti

 "Report from my 12/17/20 tour of the Waste Water Plant"

The Mt Dora Water Reclamation Facility on 441 and SR 46 has been in operation for approximately 12-15 years. Its’ primary function is to convert sewer wastewater into reclaimed water for irrigation purposes. The facility is operating at half its current capacity and is master-planned to be built to double its current size. Grease trap waste and septic tank waste are NOT accepted at the facility. Sludge (a compost material) extracted at the end of the reclaim process is hauled off by Shelly’s Septic for additional treatment and reuse as fertilizer. This sludge has no smell when it leaves the treatment plant site.
After touring the facility, the only step that has odors is the "headworks" where the wastewater comes in and the "surge tank" where the wastewater is stored for processing. The current odor control system is carbon filtration. The carbon filters are changed out as needed. While carbon filtration was adequate technology 12-15 years ago, it is now a middle of the road odor control system. The City of Mount Dora has a concept plan from a third-party engineer to upgrade the plant and make it more efficient. The plan will include recirculating activated sludge (RAS) microbes back to the beginning of the treatment process to greatly improve odor control and efficiencies of the plant.
The City owns and operates a second wastewater treatment facility near old 441 and the new post office. This is a 40 - 50-year-old plant in need of major rehabilitation. The RAS system noted above will be implemented at this facility with construction starting in 2021. Funding for this project is in the City budget and a construction loan is being procured. The major efficiency upgrade to the 441 and SR46 plant is currently anticipated to begin after the older plant is complete. Funding for the 441 and SR46 upgrade will be generated from development impact fees, grants, and other sources. The City has already applied for some of these grants that may accelerate these efficiency improvements.
I highly recommend a tour with the Director of the Plant to learn more about the process and system. Residents are encouraged to report smell odors providing weather data, intensity, time of day, and smell descriptions to the City of Mount Dora “Report a Concern” tracking log. The more reports made, the more likely upgrades to the 441 and SR46 plant will occur.


Also as a side note, the Jan. 5th City Council meeting will include an agenda item regarding the water reclamation facilities upgrades.

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