Major Funding: $25 Million Awarded to Florida for Water Supply Improvements

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced in a press release dated March 28 that it has awarded $25 million through the Local Government Water Supply Pilot Grant Program to 13 projects that would enhance Northwest Florida’s water supply infrastructure.

According to the DEP, these initiatives will contribute to the region’s increased water supply resilience by lowering water loss, guaranteeing residents consistent access to drinking water, and ensuring firefighters have the necessary supplies to put out fires.

The Government Water Supply Pilot Program’s long-term water supply plans for Northwest Florida are designed to tackle the area’s particular water issues, such as safeguarding the Coastal Floridian Aquifer.

Projects must be situated in the counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton in order to qualify for the pilot program.

According to the DEP, many of the biggest users of water from public supplies are found in rapidly expanding coastal areas that require water delivery infrastructure.

Through a range of improvement initiatives, the $25 million award is anticipated to assist the water needs of around 170,000 Sunshine State people throughout these counties, including:

• The Gulf Islands National Seashore Water Transmission Main Replacement and Upgrade Project, funded by $3 million for the City of Gulf Breeze, will replace a 50-year-old, undersized concrete main with a larger main to more dependable serve the community and serve as an emergency supply main for the Emerald Coast Utility Authority-operated Pensacola Beach water system.
• The City of Mary Esther has allocated $3.5 million to rebuild mains in order to solve problems with water delivery, water loss, water quality, and inadequate flow capacity brought on by outdated, undersized pipe.
• In order to satisfy firefighting and water supply needs, the City of Paxton will also receive $773,419 to replace its current 2-inch water lines with 6-inch ones.

Although it is not an exhaustive list of planned water-supply improvement projects, the ones that are included show the kinds of advancements that towns in Northwest Florida can anticipate in the near future.

Severe Storms Sweep Through Midwest, Killing 7 and Stranding Hundreds of Thousands Without Power

“DEP remains committed to securing Florida’s water future through proactive investments in infrastructure and natural resource protection,” DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert stated.

ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/Grants has the complete list of Local Government Water Supply Pilot Grant projects chosen for Fiscal Year 2024–2025.

In other local waterway news, the state of Florida recently awarded $10 million for cutting-edge technology to fight poisonous and dangerous algal blooms around the state.