Sun ‘N Lake Improvement District, Florida
AMI Water Meter Solution | LED Lighting | Wastewater Treatment Plant
Background
The Sun ‘N Lake Improvement District is a master planned golf and recreation community located outside Sebring, Highlands County, in the heartland of central Florida. It is an independent special purpose unit of government established to provide basic services and infrastructure within the 7,500 resident community, including stormwater management, water and sewer utilities, roads, parks and recreation, code enforcement and security. The District’s Utilities Division is responsible for providing safe drinking water for the community.w, the project scope has expanded to include additional meters.
Sun ‘N Lake is a valued, long-term Sustainability Partners customer, having implemented a comprehensive AMI water meter system upgrade and community-wide LED lighting enhancements. Building on that success, the District is now advancing a third Infrastructure as a Service® solution with Sustainability Partners for a new wastewater treatment plant.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Water Meter Solution
Challenge
The District faced ongoing challenges due to a non-operational water meter system and was rightfully frustrated after two separate systems had failed to accurately monitor water usage causing customer billing issues. The District sought a way to fund and install a solution that would offer accuracy, efficiency, and also included a plan for ongoing maintenance.
Project Description
Following a Request for Proposals to implement Advanced Metering Infrastructure, Sun ’N Lake Improvement District partnered with Sustainability Partners to deliver a new water metering system through Metering as a Service.
Together with qualified local vendors, Sustainability Partners delivered and installed a comprehensive smart water meter system, including replacing more than 3,800 ultrasonic meters, a meter data collection system, and software integration with the District’s billing platform. The solution also includes ongoing system support and maintenance.
Impact
Delivering a comprehensive ultrasonic water meter system brought immediate benefits to the District. Sun ’N Lake now has access to highly repeatable, stable, near real-time water usage data, including superior low-flow metering capabilities and acoustic leak detection.
The system has improved billing accuracy and transparency while enabling meaningful, ongoing water conservation. Customers and utility staff now have access to up-to-date usage information, which encourages awareness and responsible water use across the community.
Through Metering as a Service, the District benefits from full use and control of the AMI system with zero upfront cost, preserving resources for other mission-critical initiatives. As the community continues to grow, the project scope has expanded to include additional meters.
“I am extremely pleased with the efforts of both companies. We truly have seen the value of the partnership flourish this year and expect that to continue. Any issues are quickly addressed and responded to at the lowest level but senior leadership of the companies are also fully aware and always engaged. The effectiveness of the system continues to exceed our expectations and the digital support required to collect the appropriate level of revenue from customers that was being lost with the older system. Also, the efficiency of the system and network provides us a ‘concierge’ level of service feature to aid our residents in identifying leaks and breaks early in the process, thereby saving them large sums of additional charges in water usage. I honestly cannot find any faults in their services and look forward to the partnership continuing.”
Raymond “Boz” Bossert
District General Manager
LED Solar Street Lighting
Challenge
Sun ’N Lake experienced ongoing challenges meeting resident expectations for reliable street lighting, impacting roadway visibility and public safety throughout the community.
Project Description
Sun ’N Lake partnered with Sustainability Partners, in collaboration with Miller Electric Company, to deliver a rapid and efficient LED solar street lighting solution through Infrastructure as a Service®.
The project included procuring and installing 375 solar-powered LED street lights throughout the community. The selected fixtures are high-quality, all-in-one units designed for long-term performance with minimal maintenance requirements.
Impact
Sun ’N Lake’s LED street lighting upgrades modernize critical infrastructure to improve lighting reliability, reduce energy consumption, and reduce long-term maintenance needs. The project supports operational efficiency, safety, and long-term sustainability across the District.
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Design Phase
Challenge
Sun ’N Lake’s existing wastewater treatment facility has provided nearly 50 years of service and has reached the end of its useful life. As the District plans for future growth and long-term reliability, aging infrastructure limits operational flexibility and increases the risk of unplanned repairs and inefficiencies.
Project Description
Sun ’N Lake partnered with Sustainability Partners to advance the design and planning phase of a new wastewater treatment facility through Infrastructure as a Service®.
The current scope focuses on comprehensive upfront planning and design activities, including evaluation of existing conditions, system planning, environmental considerations, and development of a modern facility concept. The design effort is intended to establish a strong foundation for a future wastewater treatment plant that meets or exceeds applicable regulatory requirements and industry standards.
As design progresses, the facility is expected to incorporate modern treatment approaches and technologies to improve efficiency, reliability, and long-term operational performance.
Impact
Advancing the design of a new wastewater treatment facility allows Sun ’N Lake to take a proactive, long-term approach to infrastructure planning. Completing thorough upfront design helps identify system needs early, reduce future project risk, and improve predictability for later project phases.
Planning for a quality-engineered facility positions the District to enhance treatment performance, protect local waterways and groundwater, and support reliable service for residents and businesses.
Over time, this approach is expected to reduce reliance on reactive emergency repairs and allow utility staff to focus on broader system improvements and long-term stability.
