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City officials held dedication ceremonies for phase one of the city wastewater treatment plant on Lime Avenue in Live Oak. County, city, school and state officials were in attendance.

City officials noted the nearly $17 million project cost the citizens of Live Oak only about $2 million.

“Diligence on the part of staff, as well as elected officials to utilize the means that are out there for communities such as Live Oak in getting low interest loans, grants and a contractor who was sensitive to the city of Live Oak’s financial situation is the reason we were able to obtain a $17 million waste water treatment plant at a cost to the citizens of Live Oak for $2 million, which equates to a savings of $15 million,” City Administrator Bob Farley said Wednesday.

At the event, the contractor for the project, The Haskell Company, presented a check in the amount of $250,339 to the city. Farley said Wednesday the funds — acquired through a state Department of Environmental Protection loan — represented monies the contractor saved the city. He said the contractor set a guaranteed maximum price for the project, but the project cost less than anticipated. Those funds will be returned to DEP.

The city was notified by DEP in 1998 that the plant was in violation of its operating permit. DEP issued the city a consent order in 2002 notifying officials that they were required to update the plant to current standards.

Farley said the old equipment used at the wastewater treatment plant — the original system built in Live Oak — didn’t have the ability to produce the quality of wastewater required by the city’s operating permit.

In 2006 the city decided to include a water reuse system along with the upgrades. The system will recycle wastewater by treating it to drinking water standards and be used for public access, such as irrigation to golf courses, the First Federal Sportsplex and other large volume users. The reuse system will also be sent to the upcoming Suwannee Correctional Institution for laundry and toilet flushing. Currently, the water is being dispersed at the city sprayfield.

Farley said Live Oak is the first municipality in the 16 county district of Suwannee River Water Management District to adopt the reuse system.

Workers will begin with a second phase in October to expand the plant to allow for growth in the city. During phase two workers will run the reuse line out to prison for use. Later reuse water will be made available to the public as funding becomes available.

Farley said the plant now actually produces better quality water than the state requires.

“We are the stewards of our environment,” Farley said. ” I’m so proud that the city of Live Oak has a plant that produces better quality waste water than required.”