Water Supply Restoration Program
Connection to Public Water Systems

 

Water Supply Extension Project

When a property with a contaminated potable water well is adjacent to distribution lines from a public water system, a connection to the public water system is almost always the most cost-effective solution. In this case, the property owner must apply for service, and then the WSRP takes care of the rest of the process.

Once the property owner requests the connection, a purchase order is issued to the utility for the service line and the meter, including all associated fees (WSRP does not pay any costs associated with fire protection requirements, such as hydrants, etc., to the utilities). After the meter is installed, the plumbing connection is made to the house by a licensed plumber, or in some cases, the utility. All costs associated with the connection except any deposit and the monthly water bill are paid by the WSRP.

When no lines are adjacent to the property, the WSRP requests an estimate for constructing a water line extension from the utility. The estimated cost for constructing the line is compared to the 10-year present worth cost of filtering the well(s) that would be replaced by the water line extension. Major water line extensions are possible when several contaminated wells are discovered in an area. In addition, Chapter 376.307(4)(c)(2), F.S. allows subsidies for constructing water lines and/or water systems in areas of potential contamination, specifically, in delineated areas. For water line extensions, these subsidies are limited to one-half the ten-year present worth cost that would be incurred for installing and maintaining filters on each of the proposed platted lots.