The City of Punta Gorda Utilities Department is offering residents a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of the city’s water and wastewater treatment operations. In a continuing effort to promote transparency, education, and community engagement, the Utilities Department will be hosting quarterly guided tours of both the Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. These rotating tours will provide firsthand insight into how Punta Gorda ensures the reliable delivery of clean water to homes and businesses, as well as how the city safely treats and disposes of wastewater. It’s a unique chance to see critical infrastructure in action—something few residents ever get to experience. Visitors participating in the Shell Creek tour will have the opportunity to explore the Shell Creek Reservoir, Hendrickson Dam, the Shell Creek Surface Water Treatment Plant, and the Reverse Osmosis Plant. Along the way, participants will observe treatment plant operators at work and learn how raw water from Shell Creek is transformed into high-quality drinking water and distributed throughout the community. This process includes both traditional filtration methods and advanced reverse osmosis technology.
Those joining the Wastewater Treatment Facility tour will walk through the plant that handles the city’s wastewater, gaining a better understanding of how used water from homes and businesses is treated, purified, and safely released or repurposed. The tour also offers a glimpse into how biosolids— organic materials recovered from the treatment process—are managed and disposed of. Visitors will see the careful processes in place to meet environmental standards and protect public health. Due to the operational nature of these facilities and the personalized attention provided during each tour, space is extremely limited. Interested residents are encouraged to reserve their spots as early as possible on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and be prepared for a walking tour that takes place mostly outdoors. Tour registration can be completed online at https://www.ci.puntagorda.fl.us/government/utilities/utilities-tours.
In addition to offering tours, the Utilities Department is reminding the community of an often overlooked but important issue that affects wastewater systems: fats, oils, and grease, commonly referred to as FOG. Improper disposal of these substances is a major cause of sewer blockages and overflows, which can lead to raw sewage backing up into homes or spilling onto streets and into local waterways. FOG solidifies in pipes, sticking to the walls of the sewer system and restricting flow. This not only threatens public health and the environment, but also increases maintenance costs and places a heavier burden on treatment facilities. Grease can also interfere with the treatment process by increasing oxygen demand and passing untreated into the disposal system. Residents are urged to avoid pouring grease or oily substances down sinks or toilets. Instead, scrape grease and food scraps into a can or trash container. Use sink strainers to catch food particles and empty them into the garbage. Even garbage disposals are not designed to handle grease buildup, so proper disposal practices are essential. By taking part in facility tours and adopting responsible habits at home, residents play a vital role in protecting Punta Gorda’s water resources. The City of Punta Gorda Utilities Department looks forward to welcoming residents on these informative tours and continuing its mission to deliver exceptional water and wastewater services to our community with accountability and economic efficiency.
Dr. Missy
