New Pump Station At Lakeside Ranch Expedited To Improve Water Quality In Lake Okeechobee

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the S-191A Pump Station, the final component of the Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) Project. This project is one of the priority Everglades restoration projects identified by Gov. Ron DeSantis in his "Achieving More Now for Florida's Environment Executive Order."

The Lakeside Ranch STA and S-191A Pump Station are key components of the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program. Additionally, the project is identified in the Lake Okeechobee Basin Management Plan to improve water quality for Lake Okeechobee.

“This project will improve water quality flowing into Lake Okeechobee, the liquid heart of America’s Everglades,” said Ben Butler, SFWMD Governing Board Member. “Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, we continue expediting projects and making a real difference for people and the environment. Our residents and businesses rely on Lake Okeechobee for their livelihood, and this ribbon-cutting signifies another step forward for Florida’s natural resources.”

“We are truly dedicated to working with our partners, stakeholders and the public to expedite beneficial projects across South Florida,” said Drew Bartlett, SFWMD Executive Director. “I’m proud of the accomplishments of the hard-working staff at the District who routinely complete restoration projects that support our mission and improve our natural systems.”

“Protecting our natural resources and ecosystems continues to be a priority for Okeechobee County,” said Terry Burroughs, Chair, Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners. “It is critical that we continue to work with local and state partners to improve the health of Lake Okeechobee, which is the lifeblood of so many Okeechobee County residents.”

The Lakeside Ranch STA is located in Martin County, and the S-191A Pump Station that supports the STA is located in Okeechobee County. The project was completed in three phases:

• Phase 1: 919 Acres of Treatment Cells and Inflow Pump Station - Completed in July 2012
• Phase 2: 788 Acres of Treatment Cells - Completed in September 2019
• Phase 3: S-191A Pump Station - Completed in August 2021

Over 1,700 acres of natural wetlands were created in the first two phases, capable of treating stormwater runoff from the S-191 Basin. The new pump station houses four pumps (150 cubic feet per second capacity per pump) for recirculation and flood control. This project removes approximately 16 tons of phosphorus each year that would otherwise end up in Lake Okeechobee.

SFWMD continues to advance important Everglades restoration projects that will send more water south, reduce harmful discharges, and improve water quality in South Florida.

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Learn more about SFWMD’s efforts to advance key priority Everglades restoration projects

About The South Florida Water Management District
The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts. Our mission is to safeguard and restore South Florida's water resources and ecosystems, protect our communities from flooding, and meet the region's water needs while connecting with the public and stakeholders.