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Jefferson Communities Water System, Jefferson County, Florida receives environmental recognition for protecting public health

Release Date: 02/28/2007
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

(Atlanta, Ga. - February 28, 2007) Jefferson Communities Water System, in Jefferson County, Florida was presented with the 2006 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Award for Sustainable Public Health Protection. The DWSRF finances projects that protect the quality of our drinking water infrastructure across the nation. The 2006 Awards recognize DWSRF borrowers who demonstrated leadership and innovation in financing, innovative project implementation, creative use of partnerships, or promotion of sustainable infrastructure.

Jefferson Communities Water System used a DWSRF loan to help fund the construction of a regional water system consisting of wells, elevated tanks, distribution facilities, controls and services. The new system replaced several private wells and non-community water systems that were contaminated with high levels of bacteria and in close proximity to pollution point sources. The new system will bring clean drinking water to the citizens of Jefferson County, while protecting the area from unrestrained well development.

The Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended in 1996, established the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to make funds available to drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.