DEP PROVIDES $2.55 MILLION FOR WATER PROJECTS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 4, 2014

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

DEP PROVIDES $2.55 MILLION FOR WATER PROJECTS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

~Projects address stormwater drainage, excess nutrients and alternative water supplies~

TALLAHASSEE  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is providing $2.55 million for water-related projects in four counties in central Florida. The funding will address issues related to stormwater drainage, excess nutrients and sanitary sewer service in Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties as well as pay for alternative water-supply projects in Seminole and Lake counties.

“These projects in central Florida are at the very heart of DEP’s mission to protect and preserve the quality and quantity of water in our state,” said DEP Interim Secretary Cliff Wilson. “Minimizing the possible impact of excess nutrients in our groundwater while also searching for alternative sources of water are wise investments for the state. We appreciate the leadership of Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature to make these projects possible.”

“The variety of the projects being funded in central Florida shows just how important it is to properly manage all aspects of water quality in the state,” Sen. Dorothy Hukill said. “I am appreciative of Governor Scott, DEP and my colleagues in the Florida Legislature for protecting our state’s precious natural resources.”

“Local governments in central Florida need this type of financial assistance to protect the quality of water in their area,” Sen. David Simmons said. “These are wise investments by the state and I appreciate Governor Scott, DEP and the Florida Legislature for providing this funding.”

The city of Kissimmee received $500,000 to reduce pollutants reaching Lake Tohopekaliga, more commonly known as Lake Toho. The funding will pay for the construction of a stormwater treatment pond to retain and treat stormwater before it reaches the Emory Street Canal, which discharges directly into Lake Toho. The lake, which covers more than 18,000 acres in Osceola County, is the second largest in the 50-mile string of lakes in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.

The city of Sanford received $500,000 to help pay for a sewer infrastructure lining project that will help improve the quality of surface water within the Middle St. Johns River Basin, an impaired body of water prioritized by the St. Johns River Water Management District SWIM Act of 1987. The project will reduce sanitary sewer overflows and minimize effluent discharges to the river by removing sources of inflow and infiltration into the sanitary sewers.

The city of Daytona Beach received $750,000 for the installation of 1,950 feet of dual 30-inch sewer force mains that convey wastewater under the Halifax River from a beachside collection system at Botefuhr Avenue to the Bethune Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will replace the city’s aging 24-inch force main, providing additional capacity for projected growth on the beachside in Daytona Beach as well as adding capacity to accept sanitary sewer flow from Daytona Beach Shores. An additional $7.67 million in local funds has been earmarked for this project, which is expected to be completed in 2017.

The city of Sanford also received $500,000 from DEP to help fund an alternative water supply project. The project received $500,000 in matching funds from the city and the St. Johns River Water Management District, bringing the total investment to $1 million.

Lake County received $300,000 for the South Lake Regional Water Initiative, which is conducting a feasibility study for an alternative water supply. The South Lake Regional Water Initiative includes the communities of Clermont, Mascotte, Groveland, Minneola and Montverde as well as Lake Utility Services Inc.