Major Upgrades Underway at Melbourne's Water Reclamation Facilities

Published on August 05, 2026

The City of Melbourne is making significant investments in its wastewater treatment infrastructure through a major biosolids system improvement project at the D.B. Lee and Grant Street Water Reclamation Facilities.

The project will replace aging equipment and modernize both the facilities' solids handling systems. Improvements include upgrades to waste activated sludge pumping and piping, aerobic digesters, blowers and associated infrastructure, dewatering and thickening equipment, solids-handling building upgrades, and other supporting infrastructure.

These improvements will modernize equipment that was nearing the end of its useful service life while enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the City's wastewater treatment operations. Once completed, the new biosolids system will significantly reduce the volume of stabilized wastewater sludge produced, resulting in less sludge hauled away for disposal. The upgraded system will also be less labor-intensive to operate and maintain, improving long-term operational efficiency and helping ensure reliable service for the community.

The City of Melbourne was awarded a $5 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to help fund the $28.9 million project. The remainder of the funds came from a Florida State Revolving Fund loan, which is a low-interest financing program managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. It helps local governments and utilities plan, design, and build critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure while relying on loan repayments to continuously fund future projects. Construction began on September 26, 2024, and is expected to be completed by end of the 2026.

L7 Construction is the contractor on the project. Infrastructure Solutions Services, an HR Green Company, is the engineering firm providing construction engineering inspection services.