Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water And Sewer topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town pivots to seek grants for septic-to-sewer phase and drinking-water pipe replacement
Summary
After discussions with FDEP staff, town consultants proposed applying for a Clean Water SRF grant for septic-to-sewer phase 2 and asked the council to support a legislative appropriation request for drinking-water (asbestos pipe) replacement that would require a 50% local match.
LAKE CLARK SHORES, Fla. — Town consultants and staff said they will apply for Clean Water State Revolving Fund grant opportunities and pursue a legislative appropriation for drinking-water pipe replacement after recent discussions with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Richard Pinsky summarized earlier DEP guidance and described two related funding strategies. First, he said a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) grant set-aside — expanded after federal hurricane-related allocations to the state — presents a chance to apply for a grant for "phase 2" of the septic-to-sewer conversion (Michael West), a project Pinsky estimated in 2019 at roughly $7.76 million and in 2025 at about $9.6 million. Pinsky said that the special grant component could fund some or all of a $10 million request without a local match.
Second, Pinsky said drinking-water (public health) projects such as replacing asbestos cement water mains are prioritized by DEP and the Legislature. He recommended a legislative appropriation for full replacement of failing drinking-water mains that he estimated would cost approximately $2.7 million for construction with a 50% local match of about $1.35 million. Town staff and Pinsky said the match could be funded from utility funds.
Town Manager Joe Lobello confirmed staff will apply for the CWSRF grant and pursue legislative appropriations but noted that applications do not commit the town to accept funds until council takes a later vote should an award be offered. "We're gonna apply for everything we can because you still have an opt out. Always the council has an opt out. You can always deny the funds," Lobello said.
Why it matters: Septic-to-sewer conversions and water-main replacements are major infrastructure projects affecting public health, the town’s septic load and grant competitiveness. Grant awards and legislative appropriations could reduce local matching requirements and accelerate replacements.
What’s next: Staff will prepare and submit grant and legislative requests; council did not take a binding vote other than to allow staff to proceed with applications. Council members said they would review appropriation requests if awards are offered.
