HAVANA, Fla. -- The water quality in the Apalachicola Bay could be getting an upgrade under a new grant to the City of Apalachicola.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board recently approved $71,500 in funding for the design and engineering of a stormwater improvement project within the Battery Park Basin.
“The health of the Apalachicola River and Bay system is important to both the environment and economy of Florida,” said Executive Director Jon Steverson.
The proposed project includes the construction of a large wet detention facility designed to capture, store and treat stormwater runoff before it is sent to Apalachicola Bay. Officials say that the facility will also add a visually appealing element to the park area. An additional part of the project includes enhancements that will pretreat runoff and help address localized flooding within the City of Apalachicola.
The District’s initial grant is expected to fund the entire cost of engineering, design, surveying and permitting for the project.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District efforts are part of its Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program. Through the program, the District works with state agencies, local governments and other organizations to focus on water quality and habitat restoration in priority watersheds across northwest Florida.
