Santa Rosa County receives over $8.5 million from Florida DEP to enhance Water Supply Infrastructure

Santa Rosa County has been awarded more than $8.5 million in state funding through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Local Government Water Supply Pilot Grant Program to enhance local water supply infrastructure. This investment is part of a $25 million initiative supporting 13 projects across Northwest Florida, with five key projects directly benefiting Santa Rosa County:

• $1 million for East Milton Wellfield water supply wells
• $2.75 million for the Point Baker Water System new 1,000 GPM well and 750,000 gallon elevated storage tank
• $1 million for the Highway 182 water main extension
• $3 million for the Gulf Islands National Seashore water transmission main replacement and upgrade
• $836,196 for the City of Gulf Breeze Bay Bridge water replacement

"We are grateful to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Governor DeSantis, and the Florida Legislature for their commitment to investing in our communities," said Commission Chairman Kerry Smith, District 2. "These critical funds will help strengthen Santa Rosa County's water supply infrastructure, ensuring reliable and sustainable resources for our residents now and in the future."

"As we continue to look at infrastructure needs throughout Santa Rosa County, we are thankful for grants such as these that help improve the quality of life for our residents," said Brad Baker, County Administrator. "This investment highlights the importance of safeguarding our natural resources while supporting the continued growth and well-being of our county."

These projects will strengthen water supply resilience, reduce water loss, and ensure reliable access to drinking water and essential resources for firefighting. The Local Government Water Supply Pilot Grant Program prioritizes water infrastructure needs in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties, which are home to many of the region's largest public water users. These awards will help support the long-term water supply needs of approximately 170,000 residents across these counties.

A list of Local Government Water Supply Pilot Grant projects selected for Fiscal Year 2024-25 can be found at ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/Grants .

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