GOVERNOR SCOTT ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $27 MILLION TO IMPROVE CENTRAL FLORIDA WATER QUALITY

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2014

CONTACT: Governor's Press Office, 850.717.9282, media@eog.myflorida.com

GOVERNOR SCOTT ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $27 MILLION TO IMPROVE CENTRAL FLORIDA WATER QUALITY

~Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides low-interest loans for wastewater and stormwater projects~

ORLANDO, Fla. Governor Rick Scott was joined by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Secretary Herschel Vinyard today to announce the 11 wastewater and stormwater projects receiving more than $27 million in loan funding through the Department’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program in Central Florida.

Governor Scott said, “We’ve made protecting Florida’s natural treasures a top priority, and this $27 million investment will make critical upgrades to water infrastructure so we can help improve water quality for families in our Central Florida. Helping improve Florida’s water quality is another step in the right direction towards making Florida the best state in the nation to live, work and raise a family.”

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said, “It’s wonderful to hear that Orange County has been included in today’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program announcement.  We are deeply committed to protecting our cherished natural resources, and to ensuring and maintaining water quality. Upgrading the Eastern Water Reclamation Facility will help us maintain our excellent water quality record, and will help to ensure clean water for future generations.”

Senator Alan Hays said, “This money will help the residents of Umatilla reduce the potential for flooding and also treat stormwater, which carries nutrients into our waterbodies. Governor Scott and DEP continue to show a willingness to address these issues throughout Florida.”

Senator Charlie Dean said, “Governor Scott continues to show his support for improving Florida’s water quality with today’s announcement.  The rural counties in my district and across the state greatly appreciate the Governor’s support of DEP’s loan program to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities.  Clean water is of upmost importance and this program and the projects which it funds help accomplish our mission.”

Representative Ben Albritton said, "I am continually impressed at how our Governor fights to defend and protect our treasured water resources.   Some have taken water for granted, not this Governor!"

Representative Bryan Nelson said, “Governor Scott and DEP are committed to improving water quality through projects that have tangible results. This funding is another example of the great work Florida is doing for its residents.”

Secretary Herschel Vinyard, of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said, “I appreciate Governor Scott for his leadership and continued commitment to getting Florida’s water right. This funding will bring wastewater and stormwater facility upgrades and new projects to Central Florida that are critical to the protection and restoration of the waterbodies of this state.”

The Projects in Central Florida Include

Cocoa Beach - $6,000,000

The Cocoa Beach project consists of both sewer rehabilitation and stormwater improvements. The project will consist of installation of state-of-the-art, new technology along the Minutemen causeway.

Orange County - $6,000,000

Eastern Water Reclamation Facility in Orlando is receiving $6 million dollars to construct necessary expansion of the facility to ensure adequate treatment capacity in this area of the County’s system.

Lake Wales - $6,000,000

The proposed project consists of replacing the existing gravity sewer system for the lift station service area. This will greatly reduce infiltration and inflow.

Cape Canaveral - $3,900,000

This project will rehabilitate and upgrade an oxidation ditch, sludge belt press, replacement of a Stormwater pipe, streetscaping, ditch dredging, and installation of new reinforced concrete pipe.

Gulfport - $1,500,000

This project is for a sanitary sewer evaluation study and to correct inflow and infiltration.

Daytona Beach - $1,400,000

This project will reroute flow on Beach Street from overloaded gravity line through a new ductile iron line to be constructed along Beach Street. The Westside Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements consist of replacing and rehabilitation of the filters to increase water quality.

Umatilla - $800,000

The objective of this project is to provide water quality treatment for the Orange Avenue Corridor and contributing areas. Reduction of pollutant loading of Lake Umatilla and subsequent downstream surface water of Lake Eustis will result in improved water quality and reduced stress on the ecosystem associated with these surface waters.

Daytona Beach - $810,000

There will be infrastructure improvements to a lift station that involves constructing a new lift station with a wet well and submersible pumps.

Tavares - $700,000 (2 projects)

$500,000 includes the installation of 4,050 feet of new PVC gravity sewer lines, the replacement of 48,500 feet of gravity sewer, and the replacement of 2,000 feet of force main in downtown Tavares.

$200,000 is for the construction of an administrative and training building, operations and maintenance building, and reclaimed pump station emergency generator. The new buildings will house personnel needed for the new reclaimed water facilities.

South Daytona - $160,000

This project will construct a 1.25 acre retention pond at the Lantern Park subdivision with an outfall pump station and pipe. This will reduce pollutant loads going to Reed Creek canal and Halifax River.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program was established in 1989 to provide low-interest financing for the planning, design and construction of wastewater and stormwater facilities, in compliance with the Clean Water Act. This program has awarded $3.8 billion in loans since its inception, and more than $1.4 billion in funding for 96 projects in just the last five years. Funded by federal grants, state matching funds, loan repayments and interest earnings, state revolving fund loans are offered at interest rates. Repayments from earlier loans are used to make new loans, allowing the program to continue operating.

For more information on the State Revolving Fund program, please visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wff/ .