District grant helps Walnut Hill, Bratt-Davisville Water Systems

HAVANA – A grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District helped connect two water systems in a rural area of northern Escambia County to provide better service for approximately 5,000 customers.

The District’s grant of $82,229 helped pay to construct more than two miles of 6-inch water main, which allows for the interconnection of Walnut Hill Water Works and the Bratt-Davisville Water System. Both systems are part of the Escambia River Electric Cooperative.

“The District’s Water Supply Development Grant program has provided millions of dollars in much-needed support for communities all across northwest Florida as they address their water supply needs,” said Jerry Pate, Vice-Chairman of the District’s Governing Board who represents Escambia County. “Many of these communities are small and would otherwise have trouble securing funding for projects like this.”

The District’s grant also helped pay for the addition of six bores, 20 valves, and seven fire hydrants to the interconnection, which stretches along Highway 99 from Gobbler Road to Well #1 at Water Tank Road South.

“We can’t take lightly the importance of providing a safe and reliable source of clean water to residents in northwest Florida,” said State Senator Doug Broxson, who represents Escambia County. “I appreciate the cooperation between the Escambia River Electric Cooperative and the water management district to serve the residents in northern Escambia County.”

The completed project also increases water pressure and fire safety for both water systems.

“This project may appear to be small to some people, but its impact is huge for these residents,” said State Representative Mike Hill, who represents Escambia County. “Providing clean water, increasing water pressure, upgrading fire safety – these are things that make a positive impact on everyone in this area. I appreciate the work by all involved to complete this project.”

The Escambia River Electric Cooperative provided match funding in the amount of $82,229 for construction crews and material supplies for the project.

The funding is part of the District’s Water Supply Development Grant program, which launched in 2013 and has awarded funding for 70 projects totaling more than $21.6 million. These projects have helped local governments and utilities make potable water distribution system improvements, replace aging infrastructure, evaluate and develop alternative water supply projects, and address local drinking water quality issues. Two-thirds of the projects are in rural or financially disadvantaged communities.

For more information on projects funded under this program, please visit http://www.nwfwp.sgssys.info/Water-Resources/Funding-Programs/Water-Supply-Grants.