"BSU is committed to the long-term protection of the region's water resources. A major component in that effort is the elimination of current and potential pollution from septic tanks and small, inefficient wastewater treatment facilities known as package plants," said BSU executive director Fred Partin. "Acquiring the Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club sewer system gives BSU the opportunity to eliminate another package plant and to provide reliable, environmentally considerate wastewater treatment service to this neighborhood."

Since 1991, BSU has eliminated more than 40 wastewater package plants and connected more than 5,000 units previously served by septic tanks to the central sewer system.

BSU staff and engineers are evaluating the scope and timing of improvements needed to modernize the country club system, which includes many outdated and substandard components. BSU plans to build a master-pump station by the end of 2003 to connect the neighborhood to the centralized wastewater collection system and to allow the closing of the existing package plant. The utility will petition to assess current BSGCC customers for the cost of the improvements.

BSU, a not-for-profit utility that serves nearly 20,000 homes and businesses in a 50-square-mile area, is franchised to operate the water and wastewater system through the Bonita Springs and Lee County.