City of Winter Haven Applies for +$3 Million Grant to Fund Alternate Water Supply Transmission Main
by James Coulter
Nearly five miles of a transmission main for reclaimed water may be installed along Thompson Nursery Road if the City of Winter Haven receives a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
At their meeting on Wed. Sep. 11, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to approve a grant application to help the city utilize an alternate water supply.
The application would be for a grant through the Protecting Florida Together program, which helps fund projects that promote alternate water supply (AWS) development, such as through reclaimed water use.
“This program aims to secure Florida’s water future by creating new water sources, reducing reliance on fresh water, and improving water quality through measures such as advanced wastewater treatment and stormwater management,” wrote Gary Hubbard, Water Department Director.
The grant will help fund the installation of approximately 4.38 miles of new reclaimed transmission main. As Hubbard explained: “The main will run along the east end of Thompson Nursery Road, go through the future Preserve at Lake Ashton development project, and connect to Cypress Gardens Boulevard.”
The project is estimated to cost $8,684,000. The grant has been requested to provide $3,907,800 in funding toward the project. The deadline for the grant application is Fri. Sep. 19.
