OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Marion County’s Lowell Municipal Water Project received another boost on July 1, when the Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved a $1,250,000 loan through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF). These funds, awarded with loan and principal forgiveness, will fully finance the engineering planning and design for all project phases. 

The $1.25 million SRF loan comes on the heels of the county receiving a $1,000,000 appropriation in the 2025-26 state budget, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 30.  This appropriation reinforces the state’s commitment to addressing public health concerns and investing in essential infrastructure in Marion County.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved a grant agreement with FDEP to begin construction of a public water supply system earlier this year. The agreement provides $3.5 million in state funds for the installation of a new water main, fire hydrants, valves, fittings, and related infrastructure within the Lowell community.  These funds were appropriated to the county during the 2024 state legislative session.

The Lowell area, which includes several state-operated facilities such as the Florida State Fire College and Florida State Prison, currently lacks access to municipal water and relies on private wells. Confirmed soil contamination levels above FDEP’s provisional cleanup targets have made the need for a centralized water system increasingly urgent. In response, the county commission developed a concept plan to extend a centralized potable water system to serve the area, including residential homes, state-run institutions, and other users in the vicinity.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the support from the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis,” said County Commission Chairman Kathy Bryant. “This project will provide reliable access to clean water for an area in real need, and these state investments are critical to making it a reality.”

The county will now move forward with engineering design and continue pursuing the remaining construction funding needed to complete the full system.

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