KLWTD Annual Report Fiscal Year 2024
Published On: November 26, 2024
Purpose of this Report: To comply with the Florida Special Districts Statewide Mandate (Section 189.0694, F.S.), which requires setting goals, objectives, and performance measures to assess program progress and publishing an annual report on the website detailing achievements, performance measures, and unmet goals.
The Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District must follow the requirements of the Florida Special District Handbook (September 2024 edition), which mandates the preparation of annual goals and objectives, with accomplishments published by December 1st each year. This report fulfills the requirements for Fiscal Year 2024.
Goals and Objectives:
1) Goal: Provide efficient treatment of domestic wastewater, providing Advanced Wastewater Treatment at it regional WWTP. The WWTP provides treatment for Key Largo and Islamorada.
- Objective 1: Operate WWTP to result in effluent with a CBOD of less than 5 mg/l on the annual average.
- Objective 2: Operate WWTP to result in effluent with a TSS of less than 5 mg/l on the annual average.
- Objective 3: Operate WWTP to result in effluent with a TN of less than 3 mg/l on the annual average.
- Objective 4: Operate WWTP to result in effluent with a TP of less than 1 mg/l on the annual average.
- Record number of times we exceeded the annual average limits during the fiscal year.
FY24 Report: This goal was achieved. Monthly reports, documented in the Board Meeting Minutes and available on the KLWTD website, show that the 12-month average plant performance for CBOD5, TSS, TN, and TP met FDEP effluent standards throughout FY24. As of September 2024, the 12-month averages were 1.7 mg/L CBOD5, 1.3 mg/L TSS, 2.1 mg/L TN, and 0.7 mg/L TP, all below the allowable limits. Refer to below table.
| Parameter | AWT Standard (Objective) | KLWTD Result | # of Excursions |
| CBOD | 5.0 mg/L | 1.7 mg/L | – |
| Total Suspended Solids | 5.0 mg/L | 1.3 mg/L | – |
| Total Nitrogen | 3.0 mg/L | 2.1 mg/L | – |
| Total Phosphorus | 1.0 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L | – |
| Total Number of Excursions in FY2024 | – | ||
2) Goal: Improve reliability of vacuum pump stations by constructing a mobile vacuum pump station for use in the event of catastrophic damage from fire, tornados, etc.
- Objective 1: Construct a mobile vacuum pump station on a trailer that can provide adequate vacuum for all pump stations and will provide both control and main power to the sewage.
- Objective 2: Modify the piping and electrical panels at the vacuum pump stations to accept connection to the mobile vacuum pump station using quick-connects.
- Objective 3: Complete start-up tasks effectively for all vacuum stations.
FY24 Report: The design, project management, and construction took place throughout FY24. The trailer-mounted vacuum pump station was completed during FY24, while modifications to the vacuum pump stations continued, with the contractor reaching 81% completion by year-end. Startup and commissioning of the trailer-mounted station began in the latter part of the year. The contractor is set to reach final completion in FY25.
3) Goal: Reduce wet weather and high tide inflow and infiltration in the vacuum collection System.
- Objective 1: Install vacuum valve activation detection devices in the vacuum collection system to monitor individual vacuum pits for excessive use due to salt water I&I during high tide events and fresh water I&I during rainfall events.
- Objective 2: Identify vacuum pits that show increased activations during periods of high tides, find and correct leaks that occur during high tides.
- Objective 3: Identify vacuum pits that show increased activations during rainfall events, find and correct leaks that occur during rainfall events.
FY24 Report: This goal was achieved by
- The District contracted Flovac to install monitoring modules in the vacuum pits. By the end of FY24, Flovac had installed activation detection devices and activated monitoring in 78% of the vacuum pits.
- The District began plotting the No. of Activations vs Tidal Elevation for vacuum pits with activated monitoring modules. This data allowed staff to identify which vacuum pits were receiving additional water during high tide. Once a pit influenced by high tides was identified, staff scheduled TV inspections of the laterals during high tide to pinpoint which laterals were contributing to saltwater inflow. The District estimates a reduction of approximately 105,000 gallons per day in saltwater inflow and infiltration (I&I).
- The District began plotting No. of Activations vs Inches of Rainfall for the vacuum pits with active monitoring modules. Using this data, the District’s staff was able to determine which vacuum pits were receiving additional water during rainfall events. After identifying a vacuum pit that is influenced by rainfall, the District’s staff scheduled TV inspection of the laterals and examined the area for missing cleanout caps. Homeowners sometimes remove cleanout caps to drain their yards or the right-of-way after heavy rains. The District estimates that it has reduced wet weather I&I by approximately 205,000 gallons per day.
4) Goal: Ensuring transparency and effective communication with customers and the public.
- Objective 1: Hold regular, informative KLWTD Board Meetings.
- Objective 2: Communicate important events and educational information to customers via mail, home visits, and/or online platforms.
FY24 Report: This goal was achieved by
- 10 total Board Meetings held, open to the public, which included:
- Customer Service Reports detailing service requests.
- Budget and Finance Report, including debt summary, cash flow, and revenue statistics.
- Field Reports outlining service calls and resolutions.
- Plant/Facilities Reports demonstrating compliance with FDEP guidelines.
- Capital Projects Reports updating on ongoing construction and design projects.
- Online postings of the meeting agendas and minutes.
- Customers were informed of construction projects affecting their properties via newsletters.
- Periodic updates and educational information about wastewater services were communicated through websites and social media platforms.
5) Goal to ensure staff stays informed about the latest technologies and training opportunities.
Objective 1: Schedule regular in-house workshops or seminars led by experts to keep staff current on emerging technologies and best practices and encourage active participation in professional development.
- Safety Inspections
- Lockout – tagout
- Power Tool safety
- Public Work safety
- First Aid training
- Lightning Risk
- Heat Stroke and Sunburn
- Departmental Storm Prep
- Respiratory safety
- Hearing Conversations
- Shop safety
- Hurricane Prep
- Dump Truck safety
- Utility Excavating
- Chainsaw safety
- Tree trimming
- Electrical safety
- Fall Protection
- Trench Box Safety
- Skid Steer safety
- Crane safety
- Inspection logs
- Traffic control
- Eye protection
- Ladder safety
- Disaster recovery
- Hazards
- Safety gear
- Chemical hazards
- BS&A Software Training
- Valve Rebuild Training for Collection System Monitoring
- FloVac Monitoring Equipment Training
- WWTP Evoqua Filter Start-up Training
- Emergency Vacuum Trailer Start-up Training
