FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 15, 2014
UMATILLA RECEIVES $4 MILLION TO REPLACE CITY-WIDE WATER
MAINS
~Funding crucial to upgrade aging infrastructure~
TALLAHASSEE – Umatilla will soon begin a city-wide
project to replace all water mains thanks to a $4 million investment from the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The majority of piping being
replaced is between 30 and 60 years old.
“Senator Hays made it very clear to us
that the current water main network in Umatilla has reached the end of its lifeline,”
said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “This project is crucial to ensure the
residents, businesses and fire department receive adequate supply of good, clean
water.”
“I am pleased Governor Scott and Secretary
Vinyard agree the renovation of the Umatilla water system is a matter of
crucial importance to the health and well-being of all the citizens of Umatilla,”
said Sen. Alan Hays. “I look forward to seeing the completed project in
the near future.”
“I am pleased to hear about the
finalized contract between the city of Umatilla and the Department of
Environmental Protection, which will allow the city to make a critical
replacement of their water main system," said Rep. Bryan Nelson. “This
$4,000,000 replacement project is urgently needed to help ensure that the
citizens of Umatilla continue to enjoy the high quality of life that the
residents have come to expect. I applaud the DEP and the leaders of Umatilla
for coming to this important agreement.”
On Aug. 7, 2014, an emergency meeting
of the Umatilla City Council was held related to a loss of chlorine residuals
in an area serving 16 families. The issues were traced to the waterline serving
these homes. The city then approved the emergency replacement of 1,800 feet of
deteriorated 2 inch galvanized water line with an 8 inch PVC line.
This emergency situation prompted the
city to evaluate the 30-mile distribution piping networked throughout Umatilla.
The city also determined it was time to upgrade the system that currently
serves 1,411 residential and 259 commercial customers.
The majority of the current pipes are 6
inches and made of concrete. The system pipe sizes and pressure are not
adequate for fire protection. This large-scale project will bring the piping up
to the current standard of PVC pipes, 8 inches or greater.
The project is expected to be completed
by the end of December 2017.
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