Pair of projects to provide stormwater treatment in Leesburg

MAITLAND, Fla., Sept. 1, 2016 — Two projects that received funding from the St. Johns River Water Management District will provide stormwater treatment for residential and commercial areas of downtown Leesburg.

“Our cost-share program is a powerful vehicle for delivering ideas and projects that help protect Florida’s natural resources,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “We’re excited to partner with Leesburg on these projects. Both serve as examples of how collaboration can result in benefits to our water supply, water quality and natural systems.”

The first project involves construction of a wet detention pond that will also incorporate an existing wetland. When complete, the 2.7-acre treatment facility will allow for improved stormwater storage and a reduction of nutrients and sediments entering nearby Lake Griffin.

The second project, located in a residential area on the north shore of Lake Harris, includes the construction of swales, or shallow ditches. While the swales provide stormwater storage and treatment, they will also provide direct benefit to water supply because they are located in a Floridan aquifer recharge area. Work on the second project is expected to begin in early 2017.

Both projects received funding as part of the district’s 2015-2016 fiscal year cost-share program. The district contributed $120,600 to the first project and $93,900 to second. The city of Leesburg, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Lake County Water Authority also provided funding. The total construction cost of both projects is $990,000.