Currently, the Gulf Power Lansing Smith Power Plant is permitted to draw water from North Bay as its source for cooling water, which is discharged back to North Bay upon completing the cooling process. Bay County’s North Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility (NBWWTF) produces a treated wastewater effluent that is discharged to coastal groundwater through rapid infiltration basins (RIBS). By making reclaimed water available for cooling, the surface water discharged into North Bay will be reduced and ultimately eliminated, as will the wastewater effluent discharges to coastal groundwater through RIBS at NBWWTF. This project will reduce or eliminate associated environmental impacts to North Bay, St. Andrews Bay, and the groundwater system; reduce regulatory water quality requirements; reduce future treatment plant capital costs; and provide additional revenue in the retail wastewater system.

Based on the project benefits, the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) issued Bay County a $500,000 grant towards the North Bay Wastewater Reuse line project. Amendment #1 (Exhibit 1) extends the grant agreement to December 31, 2020 and updates the grant work plan accordingly.