Case Study: City of Palmetto achieves 99.9% compliance and 15% O&M cost reduction with Veolia North America

Improving Plant Performance in Palmetto

The City of Palmetto, a small Florida community facing a growing population and stricter discharge requirements, engaged Veolia North America in 1991 for operations, maintenance and management (O&M) support of its wastewater assets. Veolia North America has operated the city’s combined 2.4‑MGD Bardenpho and oxidation ditch plants, 36 lift stations, and managed land application and reclaimed effluent reuse programs.

Veolia North America implemented operational and capital improvements — switching to liquid chlorine, installing chemical feed stations, developing a reclaimed “purple pipe” distribution system, adding odor control at lift stations, identifying unforeseen repairs, and working with city engineers to resolve trihalomethane issues. The work delivered measurable impact: a 15% reduction in O&M costs (about $70,000 in year one), more than $366,000 in savings and improvements from 2005–2007, 99.9% compliance, improved discharges to endangered shellfish beds, a perfect 16‑year no lost‑time safety record, and multiple no‑cost value‑add projects.

City of Palmetto