ST. JOHNS COUNTY - The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) recently awarded two low
interest loans totaling $2,005,201 to JEA for wastewater
management. The loans, part of DEP’s State Revolving
Fund (SRF) Program, will allow JEA to develop a
reclaimed water program for the residential users in
Nocatee, a development located in St. Johns County. Once
completed, the project will conserve drinking water
supplies available to JEA by using reclaimed water for
irrigation purposes.
“These projects will provide an environmentally sound
means for handling JEA’s wastewater, while conserving
water and replenishing valuable water supplies,” said
DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “Through legislative
appropriations and DEP’s State Revolving Fund, the
Department is helping build and upgrade local government
systems to ensure the highest standards are met.”
The DEP has consistently worked with its local and
federal partners to restore the St. Johns River,
including the restoration of nearly 19,000 acres of
wetlands and wildlife habitat. Since 1997, the State has
invested nearly $50 million to restore this critical
natural resource.
DEP established the SRF to provide low interest
financing to plan, design and build wastewater and
stormwater systems. Funds can be used for wastewater,
stormwater, reuse, estuary protection and other water
quality improvement projects. Funded by federal
capitalization grants, state matching funds, loan
repayments and interest earnings, SRF loans are offered
at interest rates as low as 32 percent below current
market rates. Repayments from earlier loans are used to
make new loans, allowing the program to operate in
perpetuity.
Under the leadership of Governor Jeb Bush and the
Florida Legislature, Florida has invested almost $2.5
billion to improve wastewater treatment, clean up
stormwater pollution and upgrade drinking water
facilities, funding more than 1,200 projects statewide
since 1999. Over the last six years, the State Revolving
Fund Program awarded nearly $1.6 billion to plan, design
and build water facilities across the state.
For more information on the State Revolving Fund and
other financial assistance, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wff/index.htm. | 
