Cedar Key Water System Improvements Underway

CEDAR KEY, Fla., April 11, 2013 - Americans drink more than one billion glasses of tap water daily. And helping make that possible are the approximately 155,000 public water systems providing water to almost all Americans at some time in their lives. But access to quality drinking water cannot be taken for granted. With financial assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, the City of Cedar Key is upgrading its water system to ensure safe, reliable water service to the island community off Florida`s Gulf Coast. With today`s official groundbreaking ceremony, city officials are set to oversee improvements to the municipal water system.

The existing water treatment facility is the sole source of drinking water for City of Cedar Key residents. Much of the distribution system was constructed in the early 1920s with 6 inch pipes that are susceptible to breaking and undersized for fireflow needs. Cast iron pipe corrosion forms a rough surface inside the pipes that reduces the interior pipe diameter, further lowering the rate of water flow, impacting water flow from hydrants. Additionally, the lack of looping in the distribution system creates dead ends, which cause water to stagnate in the system.

"Having access to clean water is a critical need shared by everyone," said Rural Development State Director Richard A. Machek. "Infrastructure to bring quality water to a community is an important asset, not only for the health of area residents and the environment, but for the economic vitality of businesses as well. Rural Development is working with rural communities across America to improve water and sewage systems, and we are especially pleased to continue working with the City of Cedar Key."

Rural Development funding of $1,969,800 ($1,180,000 loan and $789,800 grant) will be used to construct system interconnects that will eliminate stagnant water problems, rehabilitate existing pumps to achieve the water system`s permitted capacity to 250 gpm; repaint steel tanks and elevated walkways to extend the equipment`s useful life; and replace existing 6 inch water transmission lines with 8 inch lines.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $181 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.