Broward County, Florida, has selected Carollo Engineers, working in association with CDM Smith, to design significant upgrades to its drinking water treatment and transmission infrastructure aimed at addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in local groundwater supplies. The selection was announced on January 28, 2026.
The project is intended to bring the County into compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for PFAS ahead of the proposed April 2031 deadline. According to the announcement, the initiative represents one of the largest PFAS treatment efforts undertaken in Florida to date.
Planned works include the implementation of advanced nanofiltration treatment systems at both of Broward County’s water treatment plants, along with the construction of approximately six miles of large-diameter potable water transmission main. The new transmission infrastructure will connect Water Treatment Plant (WTP) 1A in Lauderdale Lakes and WTP 2A in Pompano Beach, improving operational redundancy and overall system reliability across the service area.
Carollo Principal in Charge Elizabeth Fujikawa highlighted the County’s proactive strategy, stating: “We applaud Broward County for taking decisive action to address PFAS ahead of the EPA deadline. By implementing state-of-the-art nanofiltration systems, the County demonstrates an unwavering commitment to safe drinking water while building resilient infrastructure designed to meet both current and future regulatory requirements.”
Both WTP 1A, constructed in 1960 with a rated capacity of 16 million gallons per day, and WTP 2A, built in 1975 with a capacity of 30 million gallons per day, will remain in continuous operation throughout construction. In addition to treatment upgrades, the project includes enhancements to SCADA systems and the design of nanofiltration membranes that could be converted to reverse osmosis in the future if required.
Carollo Engineers and CDM Smith will deliver design, permitting, bidding support, and engineering services during construction, drawing on more than two decades of experience at the two facilities.
