Upgrading Cedar Key`s water system, thus ensuring safe and reliable water service to the area, is critically important to area residents and clearly the product of thoughtful visioning of Cedar Key Water and Sewer District. The groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the actualization of that vision took place Thursday, April 11, 2013, when, at 11AM, some thirty smiling involved individuals, the Project Team, gathered at the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District headquarters on Third Street to recognize the participants making the upgrade possible. Eight gold shovels were placed in the ground by team members. THE PROJECT TEAM: Commissioner Sue Colson represented the City of Cedar Key. The Project Team included: the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District; the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which funded $1,969,800 in a loan and a grant; representatives of five state senators and representatives; Mittauer and Associates; and Art Walker Construction. PROJECT SPECIFICS: The project is intended to "provide increased capacity and improved water quality for the residents of Cedar Key as well as Levy County for many years to come" stated the USDA groundbreaking pamphlet. It states further that the project involves the "construction of an 8-inch finish water transmission main and distribution system improvements comprised of approximately 19,000 linear feet of combined 2-inch through 8-inch potable water lines... ." The project budget consists of a USDA $1,180,000 loan and a $789,800 USDA grant, which includes the cost of the reverse osmosis units presently at the water treatment plant. The project`s completion is expected by November 2013. THE CEREMONY: At the precisely appointed time, 11AM, Cedar Key native and Water and Sewer District Board Member Dottie Haldeman welcomed the assemblage, recognized by name the Water and Sewer District Board members and staff, offered a prayer and pledge to the flag, and introduced Joe Mittauer. 
Dottie Haldeman welcomes the group.
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Mittauer, President of Mittauer and Associates, Inc., presented an overview of the project: the pipeline system constructs new water lines from the water plant just off the island at the base of State Road 347 to the city, a critical five-mile stretch. Mittauer Vice President of Community Development Greg Lang presented the project`s historical perspective citing: the 1980`s wastewater crisis; the early 1900`s aquaculture beginnings after the net ban legislation, the decommissioning of area septic tanks, the city`s focus upon capital improvement and its economic future; the 2000`s city and Community Redevelopment Agency efforts to manage storm water runoff and upgrade the water distribution system Art Walker of Art Walker Construction Inc. recognized his staff. Director of Outreach Regional Director to United States Senator Bill Nelson Lynn Bannister commented for Nelson. USDA Rural Development State Director Richard Machek addressed Cedar Key`s uniqueness and its recent issue with saltwater intrusion, complimenting the Water and Sewer District of the speed and effectiveness of its reverse osmosis solution. He stressed that without clean water, Cedar Key`s tourist and fishing bases would not continue to prosper. Cedar Key Water and Sewer District General Manager John McPherson closed thanking all for their parts in this water system improvement effort. 
Eight gold shovels dig in.
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