District grant helps increase water supply for Fairpoint Regional Utility System

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HAVANA – A grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District helped the Fairpoint Regional Utility System develop plans to increase water supply capacity while also reducing water withdrawals from the coastal Floridan aquifer.

The District’s grant of $87,505 helped pay for the planning, design, surveying, and permitting for the development of a new potable water supply well and 13,800 feet of 12-inch transmission line.

“Having a safe and reliable source of clean water in Santa Rosa County is absolutely essential, and we are happy to be part of this effort,” State Sen. Doug Broxson said. “This $87,505 grant will help achieve this critical need for our area.  I appreciate the hard work of local leaders and the water management district to collaborate and fund this project.”

The Fairpoint Regional Utility System serves residents in Santa Rosa County.

“The design work for this water supply well is the first step to providing a new source of safe and reliable water for the residents of Santa Rosa County,” Rep. Frank White said. “I appreciate the effort by the water management district and its Governing Board to bring this phase of the project to completion.”

The new well and transmission line are intended to provide water from the Sand-and-Gravel aquifer and reduce the amount of water withdrawn from the Floridan aquifer – a primary source of potable water in northwest Florida.

“It is satisfying to see how our efforts in the Legislature to provide funding for water supply are making a difference in our local communities,” Rep. Jayer Williamson said. “I appreciate the water management district and its Governing Board for making the funding of these types of projects a priority.”

Once the design and permitting phases of the project are completed, construction is expected to begin immediately on the installation of the new well and transmission line.

“The District takes tremendous pride in working with our neighbors throughout northwest Florida on projects like these,” District Governing Board member Gus Andrews said. “The ability to provide a source for more potable water while decreasing the withdrawals from the Floridan aquifer shows our commitment to protecting this area’s precious natural resources.”

The funding is part of the District’s Water Supply Development Grant program, which launched in 2013 and has awarded funding for 70 projects totaling more than $21.6 million. These projects have helped local governments and utilities make potable water distribution system improvements, replace aging infrastructure, evaluate and develop alternative water supply projects, and address local drinking water quality issues. Two-thirds of the projects are in rural or financially disadvantaged communities.

For more information on projects funded under this program, please visit https://nwfwp.sgssys.info//Water-Resources/Funding-Programs/Water-Supply-Grants.