Key West, Fla. – A new, state-of-the-art seawater desalination facility has officially opened at the bottom of Florida Key, aiming to enhance local water safety in emergencies. The Kermit H. Lewin Stock Island Reverse Osmosis facility in Stock Island is designed to provide clean drinking water to residents in Key West and surrounding areas in the event of normal supply interruption.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the opening of the facility this week, calling it an important step in a broader effort to strengthen Florida’s infrastructure and disaster resilience.
The $47 million project was funded by a combination of a $30.7 million grant from the Florida Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program and a matching fund from the Florida Keys Aqueduct.
“This new desalination plant guarantees a reliable source of clean drinking water for the key below, when you need it most,” DeSantis said. “Since 2019, we have invested more than $80 million in Florida Key’s water quality and infrastructure. There’s more to it.”
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The facility will replace a previous desalination plant that was damaged during Hurricane Irma. The new design includes storm-hardened features such as increased construction and reinforcements, allowing it to withstand future hurricanes and severe weather events. The plant is not intended for daily use, but it is revitalized during emergencies and high-demand times, such as pipeline disruptions from the city of Florida.
The project is part of the state’s broader efforts to enhance environmental and infrastructure resilience across the key. Last month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded more than $9 million through the Florida Keys Critical State Concern Grant Program to support wastewater treatment upgrades, canal repairs and stormwater improvements.
Officials say the new desalination facility will serve as a critical backup system, helping to protect public health and maintain essential services during natural disasters.
