Construction on Winter Springs' new east wastewater treatment plant has moved from groundbreaking to heavy earthwork, according to a progress update the city posted Monday.
Over the past four weeks, contractors brought about 29,000 cubic yards of dirt to the East Wastewater Reclamation Facility site, which the city put at nearly 1,800 truckloads. Crews are now excavating dry retention ponds. In December, they are scheduled to begin forming and pouring the slab for the plant's Biological Nutrient Removal basin, the part of the system that treats nutrients in wastewater.
The update included a short time-lapse video of the site.
The city broke ground on the plant this summer. It is the first of two new treatment plants meant to replace Winter Springs' two aging wastewater facilities, and the city says the project will improve reliability and performance while preparing for future population growth and regulatory requirements.
The east plant carries a $65.8 million price tag. The city says it is paid for mainly with a loan from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's State Revolving Fund, along with an additional $79.7 million the city attributes to funding related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
