FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 3, 2014
DEP, CITY PROVIDE UPGRADES TO WATER
SUPPLY FOR 26 BUSINESSES WITHIN STATE FARMERS MARKET
FLORIDA CITY
– Businesses at the State Farmers Market will soon have new waterlines thanks
to a nearly $400,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection and Florida City. The new waterlines will replace deteriorated lines
that are leaking treated water in the ground.
“The State Farmers
Market in Florida City is an important economic driver for this community,”
said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “I am happy that the state can help
fund a reliable and efficient water supply in Florida City.”
“We are grateful for
the department’s support in funding a critical need to replace the water supply
lines for these 26 businesses,” said Florida City Mayor Otis T. Wallace. “This
project not only benefits these business owners, but also Florida City as a whole
because we will see cost savings with new, more efficient water lines.”
The project would
disconnect the water services to the 26 businesses at the State Farmers Market
from smaller galvanized water lines located within the market and reconnect
them to a larger 16” water main that will help with increased water pressure.
Currently, many businesses are having issues with diminished water pressure due
to the size of the current pipes and leaks. The construction of the new water
mains will allow the city to abandon more than 4,000 lineal feet of the older
6”, 4” and 2” galvanized lines that serve the businesses now.
While all pipes naturally
have a certain lifespan, these pipes were aged faster due to impacts from
Hurricane Andrew. Following Hurricane Andrew, one of the Florida’s priorities
in South Dade was to get the Farmers Market back in operation as quickly as
possible. The damage to the market was extensive and the storm hit about 90
days before the winter crops were ready to harvest and process. A lot of heavy equipment was employed at the
Farmers Market during reconstruction and the water lines beneath the ground
were vibrated by the traffic, causing damage to the system.
Over time, the
galvanized lines have deteriorated and are now leaking. This causes the city to
pump treated water through those older water lines that then leaks into the ground
and is considered a loss to the water system. When complete, this project will
provide the city a cost savings for water lost through leakage. It is
anticipated to be completed in January 2017.
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