NWFWMD Approves Nearly $10 million in Water Supply Funding (Western Region)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2014

CONTACT: NWFWMD Communications, (850) 539-5999  or lauren.engel@nwfwmd.state.fl.us

NWFWMD Approves Nearly $10 million in Water Supply Funding (Western Region)

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board today approved nearly $10 million in grant funding to be used for 24 water supply development projects across Northwest Florida.

“Ensuring a clean and reliable supply of water for the people and natural systems of this region is one of the District’s top priorities,” said Governing Board Chairman George Roberts. “The Governing Board is pleased to play a part in helping local communities address their water supply challenges and needs.”

The District’s Fiscal Year 2013-2014 budget includes $10 million to provide assistance to local governments and utilities for water supply development projects.

“By funding these important projects, the District is helping ensure a cleaner, safer and more reliable supply of water for countless residents and visitors of Northwest Florida,” said State Senator Greg Evers (R-Baker).

Last fall, the District launched a grant program to help local governments and utilities within the District’s 16-county area apply for funding for water supply projects. Projects eligible for grant funding included traditional water supply development projects, as well as alternative water supply projects, such as reuse and conservation projects that result in quantifiable water savings. After careful review and evaluation of the many worthwhile projects submitted, the District identified 24 projects it was able to fund in this grant cycle.

“Thank you to the Northwest Florida Water Management District for recognizing the importance of helping our communities provide a safe and sustainable water supply to their residents and businesses,” said State Representative Doug Broxson (R-Midway). “This funding will directly benefit the people, natural resources and economy of our area.”

Many of the funded projects include replacements, repairs or upgrades to aging and deteriorating water distribution and treatment systems currently experiencing water loss, a lack of reliability or inadequate fire protection. The majority of the projects awarded serve financially disadvantaged communities which struggle to fund vital projects without infrastructure assistance.

“This grant funding will provide an important contribution to the health and well-being of these communities,” said Jerry Pate, Governing Board Vice-Chair and representative of the Perdido-Escambia River basin.

Combined with match funding from the local governments and other grants, the District’s funding is anticipated to leverage a total of $15.8 million in projects to meet regional water supply challenges.

“These projects will provide both direct and indirect benefits to the region’s economy,” said Angus “Gus” Andrews, Governing Board member representing the Blackwater-Yellow River Basin.  “Improvements to water supply infrastructure can act as a foundation for future economic development and help bring new business and jobs to our communities.”

Projects receiving District funding in the western region of the District include:

Highway 285 Reclaimed Water Main Upgrade (Okaloosa County)

A grant of $144,000 to the City of Niceville will be used to replace 3,100 linear feet of 6 and 8-inch reuse lines with 12-inch lines to increase capacity, providing residential, commercial and institutional reuse.  This project also addresses one of the District’s priorities under the area’s Regional Water Supply Plan.

Mid-County Tank in Okaloosa County (Okaloosa County)

The District will provide a $1,250,000 grant to the Okaloosa County Water and Sewer System to construct a 1 million gallon elevated water tank and associated facilities. This project will enhance service in the mid-county area and add inland storage for system interconnected with coastal service areas.  This project also addresses one of the District’s priorities under the area’s Regional Water Supply Plan.

Chumuckla Water System Upgrades (Santa Rosa County)

The District will provide $100,721 to Chumuckla Water System, Inc., to provide improvements to the current system, including upgrades to the well motor controls and computerized control and data system. It will also be used to acquire an excavator, trailer and ground penetrating radar to locate water mains in need of repair or replacement. These improvements will help eliminate lengthy system outages and water loss, and provide an overall increase in system reliability.

South Santa Rosa Utility System Reclaimed Water Elevated Storage Tank (Santa Rosa County)

The District will provide $345,500 to the City of Gulf Breeze to construct a 300,000 gallon storage tank to provide reclaimed water storage and improve system reliability. This project will also help address one of the District’s priorities under the area’s Regional Water Supply Plan.

Santa Rosa Soccer and Horse Complex Reclaimed Water Extension (Santa Rosa County)

The District will provide $160,000 to Pace Water System, Inc., to construct an approximately 2.8 mile reuse transmission main. The main will extend reclaimed water along a 2.8 mile corridor and to the Santa Rosa Soccer and Horse Complex, reducing the current need for groundwater pumping.

Town of Jay Asbestos Water Main Replacement (Santa Rosa County)

The District will provide $663,024 in grant funding to the Town of Jay to replace approximately 10,200 linear feet of asbestos-concrete water line, reducing water loss and protecting public and environmental health.

Central Water Reclamation Facility Reclaimed Water System Expansion (Escambia County)

The District will provide $522,000 in grant funding to the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority for planning, design and construction of a major reuse extension to the University of West Florida’s main campus and Scenic Hills Golf Course.

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