Protecting Florida's Environment: Sarasota County's Bee Ridge WRF AWT Conversion

This presentation will explore the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) expansion and upgrade to AWT project, the largest of its kind in Florida. It will provide highly treated reuse water and salinity barrier wells to protect local water supplies. The project team overcame numerous challenges through effective collaboration and community and stakeholder engagement. Using examples and insights from the team, we will discuss lessons learned and strategies that can be applied to future projects.

• Setting and Achieving Goals: Understand the strategies for setting, planning for, and achieving key project goals, focusing on sustainability, aquifer recharge, and water reuse.

• Importance of Collaboration: Explore the critical role of collaboration in successfully delivering large, complex projects. Learn the strategies for setting high-reaching objectives and how choosing the right team can make these goals attainable.

• Processes for Effective Community Outreach: Learn about the processes and strategies for effective community outreach, starting from the preconstruction phase and continuing throughout the project. Understand how maintaining a proactive outreach mindset fostered strong stakeholder engagement and support.

Standard Presentation Presenters

Gregory Rouse
Utility Engineering and Business Operations Division Manager
Sarasota County

Greg Rouse, PE, PMP, is the Utility Engineering and Business Operations Division Manager for Sarasota County Public Utilities. Having worked at the County for almost 20 years, Greg has been integral in planning, implementing, and overseeing many of the County's capital improvement projects, during a period of significant growth.

Brett Carner
Senior Project Manager
Garney Construction

With 35 years of experience in the water/wastewater industry, Brett Carner is a Senior Project Manager at Garney. In this role, he oversees facility construction throughout Florida, focusing on negotiations, material procurement, scheduling, and coordination. Brett's extensive experience includes managing some of the East Coast’s largest treatment plant expansions.

Co-Authors (if applicable)

• Jody Barksdale
• Carollo
   

• Mark Abram
• Garney Construction
   

• Timothy Jones
• Garney Construction