The ECUA Completes Redundant Water Main on Pensacola Beach, Pauses Reclaimed Water Main Installation Until After Labor Day

In September of 2025, the ECUA began construction of a project along Via De Luna Drive and Pensacola Beach Boulevard to install a redundant potable water main and separate reclaimed water transmission and distribution mains.

The ECUA is pleased to report that the redundant potable water main across the sound is now complete, with only minor surface restoration and the installation of a final fire hydrant remaining left to complete. This redundant potable water main ensures Pensacola Beach maintains a continuous supply of drinking water from the mainland, even if the primary line is damaged by a vessel strike or severe weather event.

The second principal feature of this year's construction was to continue its multi-phase project to install reclaimed water mains. Upon completion of all phases, the reclaimed water mains will provide an alternative use of treated effluent for irrigation rather than discharging it to the Santa Rosa Sound. This has been a mutual goal of the ECUA, the FDEP, and Pensacola Beach residents. Although most of the phase two work was completed as planned, the contractor encountered some challenges installing a portion of the project which required underground directional boring. This is the work adjacent to Quietwater Beach.

As a result, this portion of the project has taken longer than expected. To ensure all construction and equipment are cleared well before Memorial Day - and to avoid any impact on the busy tourist season - we will pause Phase 2 work and resume this fall after Labor Day and is expected to take about two more months to complete.

Work on the larger reclaimed water project - which will bring increased irrigation water to Via De Luna Drive - will also continue with Phase 3 this fall. The delay this season will not impact the overall project timeline. Phase 3 will focus on building a booster pump station for reclaimed water, located near the water tanks at the entrance to the beach.

As with any project constructed in the public right-of-way, the ECUA sincerely appreciates the public's patience and understanding during the off-season construction as we work to improve and enhance our community's water infrastructure.Updates on construction progress and traffic impacts will be available at: https://www.ecua.fl.gov/advisories