Stock Island Welcomes New $47M Reverse Osmosis Water Facility, Opened by Florida Governor
New state-of-the-art plant doubles water treatment capacity and boosts resilience for the Lower Keys
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA), joined by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, stakeholders, and project partners, last week celebrated the opening of the $47 million Kermit H. Lewin Stock Island Reverse Osmosis (RO) Facility.
The new facility doubles the previous plant’s capacity from 2 to 4 million gallons per day, providing a new water source to meet daily water system demands and enhancing emergency water supply and storm resilience in the Lower Florida Keys.
The project was made possible with support from multiple funding sources, including a loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act and $30.6 million from the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program following Hurricane Irma.
“I was in the Florida Keys to announce the opening of the Kermit H. Lewin Stock Island Reverse Osmosis Facility, a new state-of-the-art seawater desalination plant that will produce clean drinking water for Key West and the Lower Keys,” stated Governor DeSantis. “Since 2019, we’ve committed over $80 million to water quality and infrastructure in the Florida Keys—with more to come.”
Located in a region with limited natural freshwater resources, the Florida Keys rely primarily on a single transmission pipeline from the South Florida mainland for their potable water supply. The new Stock Island RO Facility, which replaces a decades-old seawater treatment plant on the same island, provides a vital layer of redundancy and resilience, designed to maintain reliable access to clean water in the event of service interruptions due to hurricanes, flooding, or other emergencies. The new facility will also augment existing supply to accommodate growth.
The new Kermit H. Lewin RO Facility serves as a critical water security infrastructure for approximately 25,000 residents and 1,200 businesses in the Lower Keys region, from Stock Island through Big Pine Key. During peak tourist season, when the area’s population can swell by an additional 15,000 visitors, the facility’s expanded capacity helps meet water supply needs even during periods of high demand.
Named in honor of longtime FKAA Board Member Kermit H. Lewin, the facility is built to maintain operations during Category 5 hurricanes and 100-year flood events, with structural elements elevated more than 20 feet above sea level. The plant was designed by Carollo Engineers, with support from key subconsultants Control System Consulting and ADSEngineering.
“This facility is a testament to our commitment to long-term water security in the face of extreme weather events,” said FKAA Director of Engineering David Hackworth. “By doubling our treatment capacity and incorporating advanced technology, we’re strengthening water reliability for Lower Keys residents and businesses while preparing for future challenges. This project represents a significant investment in our community’s resilience and demonstrates our dedication to providing safe, reliable water service regardless of conditions.”
The upgraded plant features advanced RO technology, including the latest in membrane system design and materials. The system achieves approximately 45% water recovery—the proportion of seawater converted to freshwater—through single-stage RO units and incorporates degasification and chemical treatment processes with post-treatment stabilization. These innovations offer higher efficiency and longer service life, contributing to a 50% reduction in energy consumption compared to the previous facility, despite doubling its production capacity. This energy efficiency is particularly important given the energy-intensive nature of desalination processes.
The facility is also constructed to withstand the Keys’ harsh environmental conditions, including the corrosive sea atmosphere, frequent storms, and potential sea level rise. All structural and process equipment materials were selected for their resistance to corrosion.
“We’re proud to have designed a system that blends innovation with durability, providing the community with access to safe, clean water when it’s needed most,” said Carollo Senior Project Manager Chris Reinbold.
The facility includes energy-efficient transfer pumping systems and incorporates a modern water quality laboratory and emergency living quarters for staff. Power is supplied by the electrical grid or by on-site diesel generators with backup fuel storage to support continuous operations during emergencies.
With commissioning complete and the plant fully operational in time for the 2025 hurricane season, the Kermit H. Lewin RO Facility sets a new benchmark for resilient and sustainable water infrastructure in coastal and island communities.
