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Sopchoppy council hears $35 million drinking-water resiliency plan and approves change order to boost Well 7 output
Summary
At its April 27 meeting the Sopchoppy City Council received a kickoff presentation on a $35 million Drinking Water System Resiliency Improvements Plan and approved a $42,919.44 change order to drill Well 7 deeper to pursue an increase from ~500 gpm toward a 1,000 gpm target; FRWA will present completed system mapping May 26.
The Sopchoppy City Council on April 27 received a kickoff presentation on the city’s Drinking Water System Resiliency Improvements Plan, tied to $35 million in awarded funding, and approved a contractor change order to pursue higher output from Well 7.
Alan Hart of SEH, joined by team members Jeffrey Nussbaum, David Walker, Jeremiah Wendt, Brett Dean and Jana Williams, presented a PowerPoint outlining project components that include rehabilitation of Wells 3 and 4, construction of a new well plus storage and treatment at the SHS site, and upgrades to distribution lines. Hart said the Legislature is expected to decide soon on the Legislative Budget Request submitted for the city and that water system design standards should be completed within the next couple of months.
Public Works Director Seth Green reported that Well 7 was drilled about 40 feet deeper than the engineered depth and is producing roughly 500 gallons per minute, below the project’s design target. Green said SGS Contracting Services submitted a change-order request to drill an additional 60 feet in hopes of reaching a target capacity of 1,000 gpm; the contractor requested $42,919.44 for the work. Council member Lewis moved to approve the change order; Council member Westmark seconded and the motion passed, 4–0.
Attorney Cox raised a separate policy point, suggesting the city consider block pricing for water rates to discourage high usage during the ongoing drought. City Clerk Schilling reported the county is drafting an agreement to transfer sewer billing service back to the county. Hart and staff also said the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) has completed system mapping and will present that report at the May 26 council meeting.
Votes at a glance: the council approved the Well 7 change order (motion by Lewis, second by Westmark; vote 4–0), voted to include all city retirees in the annual Christmas dinner (motion by Westmark, second by Lewis; vote 4–0), and adjourned the meeting by unanimous vote.
Mayor Leonard Tartt said he would be absent from the May 11 council meeting. The council did not take final action on rate changes or the Legislative Budget Request; those items remain pending or for future meetings.
