Palm Harbor reclaimed water & sewer upgrades: construction now, design starts
Pinellas County Utilities’ Fox Chase booster pump station is under construction into Summer 2026, while Highland/McMath sewer force-main design starts June 2026.
Pinellas County Utilities is moving ahead with two related water-and-sewer projects affecting parts of Palm Harbor. One reclaimed-water upgrade is already under construction, with an estimated window into Summer 2026. A separate sewer-force-main project is entering Phase I design in June 2026, setting up later construction.
Project 1 (in progress): a reclaimed-water booster pump station for pressure reliability
Pinellas County is constructing the North Pinellas County Reclaimed Water Booster Pump Station in the Palm Harbor – Fox Chase area, at the southwest corner of County Road 70 and Belcher Road (see the county’s project map).
On the project page, the county says the work includes installing a new 24-inch reclaimed water main and related infrastructure designed to help customers consistently receive reclaimed water at the County’s standard pressure of 50 psi. The project lists construction as in progress, with an estimated timeline of June 23, 2025 to Summer 2026 (with specific dates that may vary based on permitting and weather).
What you may see during Summer 2026 (Fox Chase area only)
Because the booster pump station work is already underway, residents closest to the Fox Chase project area may notice the most visible field activity as Summer 2026 approaches. Pinellas County also posts a detour map tied to the booster pump station construction, which is a practical signal for where short-term changes to access/routes could show up during staging.
Project 2 (starting): Highland/McMath sewer force-main replacement enters design
Separately, Pinellas County’s Highland/McMath Force Main Replacement project is focused on replacing aging sewer force mains near and through the Highland Lakes community area and around McMath Road.
The project page lists the effort’s status as design: not started, but it gives a clear trigger for this summer: Phase I design starts in June 2026 and is scheduled through April 2027. Phase I construction is listed for January 2028 through January 2030—so residents should not expect the force-main construction itself to begin in June 2026.
According to the Phase I description, the first phase focuses on the McMath Drive force main from Pump Station 355. The new main (about 4,000 feet long) will be moved south to Tampa Road and connect to the existing pipe that leaves Pump Station 450.
Phase II is described as additional replacement work, with its timeline listed as pending project funding.
Reclaimed-water basics: what it is, and key service rules
Pinellas County describes its reclaimed water as highly treated wastewater that eliminates contaminants while retaining benefits for irrigation.
In its reclaimed-water FAQs, the county says reclaimed water is acceptable for uses such as:
- Irrigating lawns and most landscaping
- Washing cars, boats or heavy equipment (the county recommends rinsing with potable water and drying with a towel to prevent spotting)
- Fountains and decorative pools if clearly marked as using reclaimed water
The FAQs also list uses that are not acceptable, including human use, bathing, cooking, or toilet flushing, and any interconnection with another water source.
For seasonal restrictions, the county says lawn watering is limited during dry times to three days per week, and it links the limits to alleviating seasonal shortages and reducing stress on the distribution system.
What to watch next
For Summer 2026, the two practical watch-items for Palm Harbor residents are:
- Fox Chase (County Road 70 / Belcher Road): continued field activity connected to the reclaimed-water booster pump station and the posted detour map.
- Highland Lakes / McMath Road area: Phase I design activity starting June 2026 for the force-main replacement (with the Phase I construction window beginning later, in January 2028).
For the most up-to-date staging expectations, timelines, and project contacts, keep an eye on the county’s project pages.
Sources
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