Florida Water And Wastewater Engineering

Water and wastewater engineering in Florida

Modern Engineering Solutions (MES) is licensed in Florida. We design water and wastewater systems, prepare site civil plans for land development, and support projects through construction.

We work with developers, utilities, municipalities, chains and landowners. Every Florida site starts with the same question: which agencies review it?

Most of our Florida work so far is site and utility plans for drive-up water and ice vending sites. Each site gets its own plan set and its own local review.

How permitting works in Florida

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permits wastewater systems. Most permitting runs through its six district offices and some delegated local programs. A sewer collection system needs a permit before construction starts.

FDEP's district offices also permit new public water system construction. In Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Palm Beach, Polk and Volusia counties, the county health department runs that program instead.

Florida has five water management districts. They issue water use permits and review most Environmental Resource Permits (ERPs) for stormwater and wetland work. Operating agreements send some project types to FDEP.

Cities and counties review site plans under their own codes. A mailing address does not always match the agency that reviews the site, so we check before we draw.

For more on the sewer side, read our guide to FDEP permitting for wastewater systems in Florida.

Our work in Florida

We have completed 29 projects in Florida, and more are under way. Our sites include Jacksonville, Orlando, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale, with the most around Tampa Bay.

For one ice vending program, we took on sites in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Seminole and Lutz. Our records research showed that one Clearwater address falls under the City of Largo, so the application went to Largo. Read about the ice vending site program.

In Jacksonville, we are designing a potable water service so an ice vending machine can come off its shallow well. See the four Florida ice vending sites.

Common questions

Is MES licensed in Florida?

Yes. MES is licensed in Florida and eight other states. We are headquartered in McKinney, Texas, and have completed 525+ projects.

Who reviews a new water main or sewer line in Florida?

Usually an FDEP district office. In six counties, the county health department reviews water systems. The serving utility also reviews the connection.

Do you take on land development projects anywhere in Florida?

Yes. We start each site by confirming the reviewing agencies and the utility. Call (214) 833-6748 or contact us to talk through your site.