Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Popular Stories

DeSantis Announces Opening of New Reverse Osmosis Facility in Florida Keys

KEY WEST, Fla. — A new state-of-the-art seawater desalination facility has officially opened in the Lower Florida Keys, aiming to enhance water security for the region during emergencies. The Kermit H. Lewin Stock Island Reverse Osmosis Facility, located on Stock Island, is designed to provide clean drinking water to residents of Key West and surrounding areas when normal supplies are disrupted.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the facility’s opening this week, calling it a significant step in Florida’s broader efforts to strengthen infrastructure and disaster resilience.

The $47 million project was funded through a combination of a $30.7 million grant from the Florida Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program and matching funds from the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.

“This new desalination plant will ensure a reliable source of clean drinking water for the Lower Keys when it’s needed most,” said DeSantis. “Since 2019, we’ve invested more than $80 million into water quality and infrastructure in the Florida Keys—and there’s more on the way.”

<

The facility replaces an earlier desalination plant that was damaged during Hurricane Irma. The new design includes storm-hardened features such as elevated construction and reinforced materials, enabling it to withstand future hurricanes and severe weather events. While the plant is not intended for everyday use, it will be activated during emergencies or times of high demand, such as disruptions to the pipeline from Florida City.

The project is part of a broader effort by the state to bolster environmental and infrastructure resilience across the Keys. Last month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded more than $9 million through the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern Grant Program to support wastewater treatment upgrades, canal restoration, and stormwater improvements.

Officials say the new desalination facility will serve as a critical backup system, helping protect public health and maintain essential services during natural disasters.

*The link takes you to this product on Amazon. We are on Amazon Associates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Archives

Related Articles

Trending News

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two new bills aimed at strengthening animal protection laws across the state. The legislation, known as...

Top Story

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida House Bill 999, a bill that recognizes gold coins and silver coins as legal tender for the payment...

Florida Government & Politics

MIAMI, FL – Miami-Dade County, long considered a Democratic stronghold in Florida, has experienced a significant political shift, with the latest voter registration data...

Florida Government & Politics

Below is an official release from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding congressional term limits.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was invited by the U.S. Term Limits...

Advertisement
Florida Daily
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

HOW WE COLLECT E-MAIL INFORMATION:

If you sign up to subscribe to Florida Daily’s e-mail newsletter, you will provide us your e-mail address and name, voluntarily, and we will never obtain any of your contact information that you don’t voluntarily provide.

HOW WE USE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS IF YOU VOLUNTARILY PROVIDE IT TO US:

If you voluntarily provide us with your name and email address, we will use it to send you one email update per weekday. Your email address will not be given to any third parties.

YOUR CONTROLS:

You will have the option to unsubscribe to our E-mail update at anytime by clicking an unsubscribe link that will be provided in each E-Mail we send.