CARRABELLE – The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) recently awarded $16.8
million to Carrabelle to improve its wastewater
management system. The grant, part of DEP’s
Disadvantaged Small Community Grant Program, is the
latest installment in a $24.7 million project to upgrade
and expand Carrabelle's wastewater facilities.
“The Department is working with local governments throughout Florida to
upgrade wastewater facilities and protect the state’s
surface and groundwater resources,” said DEP Secretary
Colleen M. Castille. “This grant program offers
disadvantaged communities additional financial resources
to improve water quality and protect the environment.”
The $24.7 million grant is being distributed yearly
in $750,000 installments to build new collection systems
and provide reclaimed water to nearby areas, further
safeguarding public health and protecting the quality of
St. James Bay. The program will span 33 years and is
currently in its third year.
Established in 2000, the Disadvantaged Small
Community Grant Program provides funds to assist
disadvantaged small communities plan, design and build
wastewater management facilities. The program provides
funding for installation or renovation of sewer systems,
wastewater treatment plants, effluent disposal systems
and water reuse facilities.
Since the grant program began, the State has
committed more than $47 million for wastewater upgrades
in smaller communities throughout the state. Funding for
the grants comes from loan fees accumulated through the
issuance of State Revolving Fund loans. As the State
Revolving Fund grows, more money becomes available for
disadvantaged communities.
To qualify for funding, applicants must be an
incorporated municipality with a maximum population of
7,500 and a per capita income below the state average.
DEP ranks applications based on the public health and
environmental benefits of the proposed project. Grant
recipients provide a partial match to the state funding.
Under the leadership of Governor Jeb Bush and the
Florida Legislature, Florida has invested close to $1.9
billion to improve wastewater treatment, clean up
stormwater pollution and upgrade drinking water
facilities, funding more than 950 projects statewide
since 1999.
For more information on the Disadvantaged Small
Community Grant program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wff/cwsrf/smalcwgp.htm.
| 
