This project consists of planning, design, permitting and construction management of wastewater collection, treatment and effluent disposal facilities to serve the City of Bushnell. The service area currently uses septic tanks and marginally performing package treatment plants.

Planning/preliminary design activities included evaluation of several treatment and effluent disposal alternatives, environmental impact assessment and siting constraints. Effluent disposal analysis included significant impact analysis related to sinkhole formation potential and groundwater nutrient transport to Lake Panasoffkee, a specially protected surface water. Based on this analysis, spray irrigation was the selected effluent disposal method.

BFA conducted extensive financial feasibility analyses and assisted the City in obtaining a legislative appropriation ( $700,000) and a 42%/58% grant/low interest loan from the USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS) ($2,000,000 grant/$2,800,000 loan). BFA made presentation and participated in numerous public workshops and committee meetings related to the project.

Notable Features:

• Grant funding
• Hydrogeological and Surface Water Impact Analysis
• Sequencing Batch Reactor Treatment Process (no clarifiers required)
• Significant level of public information and interaction required
• Dewatered sludge disposed of in Sumter County Solid Waste in-vessel compost facility.

References:
Mr Vince Ruano, City Manager
City of Bushnell
Post Office Box 115
Bushnell, Florida 33513
(352) 793-2591