News Update
NWFWMD provides assistance to Gulf County for drinking water system upgrades
Staff report
Enviro-Net
The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board approved an agreement to help Gulf County make upgrades to its potable water system.
The district will provide up to $300,000 in grant funding for improvements to the former Lighthouse Utilities water system, which services approximately 13 square miles in the unincorporated southern portion of Gulf County. Included in the service area is St. Joseph Peninsula, Jones Homestead, Indian Pass and St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.
The system currently experiences persistent low water pressure in the northern portion of the peninsula. One of the utility’s two water treatment plants was badly damaged by Hurricane Michael, causing a booster plant and storage tank serving the peninsula to be taken offline and significantly exacerbating the problem.
The county recently completed a preliminary engineering report, which recommended installing an in-line booster pumping station as well as a ground storage tank control valve, diesel generator and automatic transfer switch, and other associated repairs and improvements.
The overall probable cost of the improvements, including engineering and construction, is estimated at approximately $690,000.