Altha’s Water System Is Upgrading

With Thursday’s official groundbreaking ceremony, town officials are set to oversee improvements to municipal water production to meet the area’s growing water needs.

The town first established a centralized water system in 1962 and, over 45 years later, a number of issues affect the current water system, including inadequate water storage which does not meet Florida Department of Environmental regulations; an existing well with a relatively high concentration level of hydrogen sulfide, which produces undesirable odor and taste; inadequate fire flow capability due to low water pressure; too few fire hydrants, and water mains of inadequate size.

Rural Development is providing $766,000 ($436,000 loan and $330,000 grant), along with a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant provided by the State of Florida, toward construction of the water system improvements.