District provides funding for Monticello water system upgrades

Posted on

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board approved funding to help the city of Monticello replace and upgrade three waterlines that are part of the city’s central water system. The approval came Thursday during the Governing Board’s monthly meeting.

“I represent 10 counties, and all but one of them are filled with smaller communities like Monticello,” State Representative Halsey Beshears said. “Support for projects like this is invaluable for the folks I represent, and I appreciate the efforts of everyone who helped make this happen.”

Funding for the project came from the Florida Legislature and is part of the District’s Water Supply Development Program. The $426,794 cost will pay for the replacement and upgrade of nearly 2,500 linear feet of pipe and connections along East Pearl Street, West Palmer Road, and North Olive Street. The upgrades are expected to save as much as 500,000 gallons of water per month.

“This is the type of project that makes positive and tangible impacts in cities like Monticello,” District Governing Board member Marc Dunbar said. “That’s why the District takes such pride in working with smaller communities throughout northwest Florida to help them upgrade aging water systems when we can.”

“This is a project that will save the city a lot of money in repairs and maintenance but will also help conserve more than 500,000 gallons of potable water each month,” said Steve Wingate, Monticello’s city manager. “The City of Monticello is grateful for the support of Representative Beshears, the Florida Legislature, and the Northwest Florida Water Management District.”

The District’s Water Supply Development Grant program was launched in 2013 and has awarded funding for 70 projects totaling more than $21.5 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 the District’s Water Supply Development Grant program, please visit https://nwfwater.com/Water-Resources/Funding-Programs/Water-Supply-Grants