GOVERNOR SCOTT ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $29 MILLION TO IMPROVE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER QUALITY

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Apr. 4, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

GOVERNOR SCOTT ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $29 MILLION TO IMPROVE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER QUALITY

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

MIAMI – Governor Rick Scott was joined by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. to announce the 10 wastewater and stormwater projects receiving more than $29 million in loan funding for South Florida through the Department’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.

Governor Scott said, “Investing in water quality in South Florida is important to all the families who live in the area. These critical projects will help keep Floridians and our environment healthy. We must continue our focus to improve water quality throughout the state to ensure that Florida remains the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family.”

Senator Rene Garcia said, “In order for our state to continue to attract visitors, we must continue to prioritize spending on our environment. Today’s announcement of wastewater and stormwater treatment upgrades is good for our economy and for all Floridians.”

Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla said, “The quality of life we enjoy in South Florida is due in large part by the quality of the environment we live in. I am glad that Governor Scott and Florida DEP understand that we must remain committed to Florida’s environment.”

Representative Eddy Gonzalez said, “Governor Scott’s commitment to water quality is admirable.  These wastewater and stormwater treatment projects are important to everyone in South Florida.”

Representative Jose R. Oliva said, “For years the State Revolving Fund has given communities the boost they need to implement technologies that will change the impact they have on our state’s delicate water resources. Governor Scott has once again provided that bump to put local governments in a position to make a difference.”

Representative Carlos Trujillo said, “Florida’s water resources deserve our full attention and as much support as we can possibly offer. Governor Scott’s distribution of the State Revolving Fund shows his commitment to our environment, our water and South Florida’s long term future.”

Representative Manny Diaz, Jr. said, “Governor Scott and DEP again have shown that they are committed to Florida’s water quality. Today’s announcement is great news for all of the families in the area.”

Representative George Moraitis said, “Florida’s water quality is important to so many aspects of life in our great state. Thank you to Governor Scott for realizing the importance of protecting Florida’s water resources.”

Representative Holly Merrill Raschein said, “The folks living in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties may never personally witness the effects of these water quality investments, but their children and grandchildren will be forever grateful for the State Revolving Fund and the help it provides to our local communities.”

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said, “Thank you to Governor Scott and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their continued commitment to water quality in Miami-Dade County. With our county’s economic growth, it is important that we invest in wastewater and stormwater treatment to ensure that we continue to protect our environment. Today’s announcement is good for all families in South Florida.”

Secretary Vinyard said, “Governor Scott continues to demonstrate his commitment to the protection of Florida’s water resources. This funding will bring water treatment upgrades to South Florida communities who are looking to preserve our state’s waterbodies.”

The Projects in South Florida Include:

Miami-Dade - $6,000,000

The proposed project will expand the peak flow treatment capacity of the South District Wastewater Treatment Plant to 285 million gallons per day. The plant will also be upgraded to provide high level disinfection for the entire peak flow. This is an increase of an original loan for $120,000,000.

Monroe County - $6,000,000

The project consists of constructing a wastewater treatment plant, transmission main and wastewater collection system to serve the communities from Lower Sugarloaf Key through No Name key. The transmission and collection system will serve approximately 9,000 homes. This is an increase of an original loan for $65,000,000.

Islamorada - $6,000,000

This project is for the construction of a regional wastewater collection and transmission system for the Village of Islamorada. Approximately 6,765 homes will be served by this system. This is an increase of an original loan for $71,000,000.

Marathon - $27,300

This project is complete and included collection, transmission, treatment, and disposal with stormwater collection and treatment in Marathon's service area 3. Approximately 1,459 homes that are currently on septic tanks and cesspits will be served by an advanced water treatment plant. This is an increase of an original loan for $12,500,000.

Marathon - $519,000

This project is complete and involved creating wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in Marathon's service area 5 that replaced approximately 1,278 septic tanks and cesspits. This is an increase of an original loan for $21,000,000.

Key Largo - $2,560,000

This project is complete and involved the construction of an advanced water treatment plant with a capacity of 2.3 million gallons per day that will eventually serve all of Key Largo. This is an increase of an original loan for $55,500,000.

Key Largo - $4,200,000

This project consists of the construction of a new digester as well as the conversion of an existing digester into a third Sequencing Batch Reactor to provide additional capacity. This expansion is necessary because Islamorada will be sending all of their effluent to Key Largo for treatment and disposal.

Dania Beach - $286,000

This project will address phase III of the infiltration and inflow corrections in Dania Beach and will also include repairs to lines in first two phases.

North Miami - $3,500,000

This project will correct excessive inflow and infiltration problems for 13 basins.

Miramar - $560,000

This project will allow for the construction of sewers, a lift station and force mains to serve 775 residents and businesses and eliminate septic tanks.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides financial savings for projects that benefit the environment, including protection of public health and conservation of local watersheds. The 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/ .