Disaster-resilient desalination plant unveiled in Lower Florida Keys

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the opening of the Kermit H. Lewin Stock Island Reverse Osmosis Facility, a $47 million seawater desalination plant designed to provide emergency drinking water for residents of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys. The plant is a major addition to Florida’s growing network of reverse osmosis facilities and a key part of the region’s long-term disaster resilience strategy.

“I was in the Florida Keys to announce the opening of the Kermit H. Lewin Stock Island Reverse Osmosis Facility, a new state-of-the-art seawater desalination plant that will produce clean drinking water for Key West and the Lower Keys,” DeSantis said. “Since 2019, we’ve committed over $80 million to water quality and infrastructure in the Florida Keys—with more to come.”

Named for longtime Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) board member Kermit H. Lewin, the plant replaces a facility damaged during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Built with elevated and storm-hardened construction, it is designed to withstand future hurricanes and serve as a backup if the 127-mile transmission pipeline from Florida City — Monroe County’s primary water source — is compromised.

The project received $30.7 million from Florida Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and an additional $5 million from the 2023 state budget, secured by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and Rep. Jim Mooney. FKAA provided the remaining local funding.

Reverse osmosis is increasingly used across Florida. The new Stock Island facility joins other operations in Cape Coral, Marco Island, Punta Gorda, and the Tampa Bay region, home to the state’s largest desalination plant.

The plant won’t operate daily but ensures water security during emergencies. It also complements recent state investments, including $9 million awarded last month for wastewater and stormwater upgrades in the Keys. Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive plan to safeguard the region against climate-driven threats.