Connecting the Dots: How Trenchless Construction Opened Doors for a Wellfield Expansion in Fort Myers

Lee County Utilities undertook an expansion at the North Lee County Water Treatment Plant in Fort Myers, Florida, adding six raw groundwater production wells and a raw water transmission main with pipe up to 30 in. in diameter to meet North Lee County’s growing water needs. The project faced challenges due to limited pipeline routes, narrow right-of-way corridors, deep ditches, and restrictions on daytime road closures. There was only one practical route that connected all six well sites and delivered water from these sites to the plant. The design had to overcome challenges noted above, as well as concerns about public convenience, environmental considerations, and future maintenance. Lee County Utilities’ existing preference for HDPE pipe opened the door for installing over 87% of the transmission main via 27 horizontal directional drills for approximately 35,000 linear feet. This case study highlights the use of horizontal directional drilling trenchless technology to navigate the previously mentioned challenges in a limited pipeline corridor.