Fort Lauderdale Will Open New Water Center Thursday
The city will hold a ceremony on October 15 for the $666 million Prospect Lake Clean Water Center.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Fort Lauderdale is set to host a grand opening for the Prospect Lake Clean Water Center on October 15. The facility is designed to replace the aging Fiveash plant and serves several regional municipalities.
Why it matters
The $666 million facility addresses the needs of a growing population while providing modern nanofiltration and ion exchange technology. It replaces the 1950s-era Fiveash plant to significantly improve local drinking water quality.
The new plant cost $666 million and is engineered to produce 50 million gallons of water daily. The facility is built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.
The players
IDE Technologies
This global water treatment company specializes in desalination and industrial water treatment solutions.
Ridgewood Infrastructure
This investment firm focuses on infrastructure projects across the United States including utility assets.
Kiewit Water Facilities Florida Co.
This firm is a major construction and engineering contractor for complex water and wastewater projects.
The details
Located at 3501 W. Prospect Road, the plant was constructed through a public-private partnership with IDE Technologies, Ridgewood Infrastructure, and Kiewit Water Facilities Florida Co. It serves Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas including Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Tamarac, Davie, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Sea Ranch Lakes, and Port Everglades.
Timeline
The Fiveash water plant began its operations in the 1950s.
The new facility initiated a phased operation period in September 2026.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on October 15, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Temporary changes in water appearance and taste may persist until the end of 2026.
Market Landscape
This project follows the national trend of replacing mid-20th-century water infrastructure with climate-resilient technology. It positions the city to maintain service stability against the growing demands of regional population expansion.
Residents in the service area may notice temporary changes in water color and taste during the final phases of the plant transition. These minor effects are expected to persist until the end of 2026.
The takeaway
The new facility represents a significant upgrade in regional water reliability and hurricane resistance. Residents should be aware that the final transition period may briefly impact the sensory quality of their tap water.
What happens next
City officials expect that potential temporary changes in water color and taste associated with the transition to the new facility will resolve by the end of 2026.
Further reading
For additional updates on municipal developments, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sun Sentinel.
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