Ocean Reef’s Innovative Water Management

Ocean Reef stands as a model of sustainable living and responsible water management. The Ocean Reef Community Association (ORCA) plays a pivotal role in overseeing its crucial water sources, ensuring the well-being of both The Reef’s residents and the Florida Keys ecosystem.

Behind the scenes, the North Key Largo Utility Corporation (NKLUC) delivers essential irrigation and wastewater services to the Ocean Reef and Angler’s Club communities. NKLUC is a not-for-profit organization managed by ORCA, providing a seamless integration of water services for the community.

“The dedicated team at NKLUC effectively manages both the State-regulated Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWWTP) and the Reverse Osmosis (RO) irrigation water plant, which is vital to maintaining the golf courses and landscaping,” says Jeff Oeltjen, P.E., ORCA’s Vice President of Public Works and Utilities.

At the heart of Ocean Reef’s water sustainability lies the Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plant. Using brackish groundwater from several wells over 1,000 feet deep as a feed, reverse osmosis is a sophisticated filtration method. Pressure is applied to force water through a very small pore semipermeable membrane, so that contaminants, dissolved salts, and minerals are effectively filtered out. The concentrate with the contaminants is disposed of by wells. The clean water from the RO process meets all regulatory requirements and is completely suitable for irrigation.  

Located at 2 Service Village Lane, across from the Ocean Reef Club Airport, NKLUC’s state-of-the-art RO facility boasts a total daily capacity of 2.3 million gallons of water, including a three-train recovery system with capacity of 600,000 gallons per day for each train and a fourth train contributing up to 510,000 gallons per day. This ensures a steady supply of water for irrigating the Dolphin, Hammock, and Card Sound Golf Courses, as well as common areas.

While the reverse osmosis plant provides ample irrigation water, the Ocean Reef Club sources its potable water from the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA), which also uses RO to process water. “This partnership ensures that the community receives clean and safe drinking water and improved water pressure,” added Oeltjen.

Spearheading the charge is the plant’s dedicated Wastewater Treatment Superintendent, Bill Midling, who has been serving the Ocean Reef community since 2013. During peak seasons, Bill and his staff of three certified operators and two collection technicians ensure that the wastewater is fully treated before undergoing the reverse osmosis process. The resulting purified water is then stored in the holding pond, catering to the irrigation needs of the community.

In off-seasons and periods of low flow, the treated wastewater finds its way to injection wells underground, guaranteeing a responsible disposal method. Resiliency is an ongoing concern, and staff plans continuously to ensure adequate supplies and equipment are available.

ORCA is committed to remaining a steward of water sustainability. It is not just a necessity but a way of life. And that makes it a true paradise.