DEP, CITY PROVIDE UPGRADES TO WATER SUPPLY FOR 26 BUSINESSES WITHIN STATE FARMERS MARKET

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 3, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

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.