FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 2, 2014
CHIPLEY RECEIVES $1.5 MILLION
INVESTMENT FROM DEP TO IMPROVE IMPAIRED WATERBODIES
~Holmes Creek will benefit from investment~
TALLAHASSEE – In an effort to protect
Northwest Florida’s environment, the city of Chipley continues to take steps to
reduce pollutant loadings thanks to a $1.5 million grant provided by the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
“The number one threat
to Florida’s water is excess nutrients,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard
Jr. “Nitrogen and phosphorus are part of every healthy waterbody, but too much
of either is a bad thing. This project addresses excess nutrient loading in the
Holmes Creek area and will improve current infrastructure in that area as well.”
“The expansion of
waterlines past Interstate 10 will help Chipley compete for new businesses
looking to locate in Florida, and I am pleased that the Florida Legislature was
able to fund this much-needed project,” said Representative Marti Coley. “With
a surplus budget during the 2014 Legislative Session, it was fitting for the
state to invest those dollars back into our communities, which will continue to
strengthen our economy and provide jobs.”
“The city of Chipley is
excited to participate with the state of Florida and the Department of
Environmental Protection to expand and improve our utility infrastructure. The city
is always eager to do its part in protecting our environment in order to
support Florida’s rich tourism heritage while providing our constituents high-quality
public utilities,” said Chipley Mayor Linda Cain.
The city has developed
a comprehensive plan for the Interstate 10/Highway 77 interchange to include
drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and roadway improvements within the
area. The project proposes to make necessary infrastructure improvements to
protect surrounding environmental features and provide future collection,
treatment and distribution of water utilities.
Phase I of the
multi-phased program has been completed to include a new wastewater treatment
facility, underground utility improvements and new reuse system for upland
disposal. Phase II will incorporate construction of a water well, storage, distribution
mains, sewage lift station and gravity system/force main.
The project will
improve health and safety welfare in the surrounding area by reducing pollutant
loadings. This phase of the comprehensive plan is expected to be complete by
January 2017.
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