FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2017
DEP Celebrates Groundbreaking of
Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility
in Citrus County
~Project benefits Chassahowitzka Springs and River~
HOMOSASSA, Fla. –
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently joined the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The project is funded through a $12.4 million loan through the state's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and a $4 million legislative appropriation grant.
"We are pleased to provide funding assistance for this advanced wastewater treatment and reclaimed water project," said Drew Bartlett, DEP deputy secretary for
ecosystems restoration. "Projects like this help improve water quality and protect Florida's most important natural resources."
The combined $16.4 million in funding assistance will be used to construct the new Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The new facility will provide advanced wastewater treatment to reduce nitrogen loading to the Chassahowitzka Springs and River, and will have double the treatment capacity of the former Sugarmill Woods plant. The newly expanded and upgraded facility will provide future service to more than 5,000 homes currently on septic tanks and will replace an existing sprayfield with a rapid infiltration basin system. Additionally, the new facility will produce high-quality reclaimed water for irrigation of public access areas, which will further reduce nitrogen loading and reduce the need for groundwater withdrawals.
"We thank DEP for helping fund this important project," said Scott E. Carnahan, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners chairman. "The Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility will be a big part of improving water quality for our residents, visitors and wildlife."
"We are glad to partner with DEP for projects that will benefit our area springs and rivers," said Brian Armstrong, Southwest Florida Water Management District executive director. "State agencies working together toward a better environment is a win-win for everyone."
The CWSRF Program has awarded approximately $1.1
billion in funding for nearly
120 wastewater and stormwater improvement projects
during the past five years, and a total of $4 billion in loan funds since its
inception in 1989. The program is funded by federal grants, state matching
funds, loan repayments and interest earnings. For more information, visit DEP's Water Project Funding webpage.
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