Mulberry Seeks $40M Grant to Protect Wastewater Plant from Flooding
The city of Mulberry is seeking a multi-million-dollar grant to safeguard its wastewater plant from flooding, particularly during hurricanes or heavy rain events. The city hopes to hear the grant's outcome in November.
The grant aims to prevent a potential environmental disaster by protecting the plant from the Alafia River, which can expand up to 300 feet wide during hurricanes, compared to its normal width of 30 feet. With the funds, the city plans to dig a trench and build a berm around the plant to alleviate flooding in nearby neighborhoods and improve communication between its two plants. The city applied for a $40,400,000 hurricane protection grant, fully funded by the state. It's unclear whether the city will receive the full grant or a partial grant, which could impact the improved fiber optic communication component.
The city hopes to mitigate the risk of flooding, as water from the north converges on both sides of the wastewater plant in Mulberry and dumps into the Alafia River during such events. The exact agency providing the grant remains unknown, but it could be the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a state-level environmental agency.
The city of Mulberry awaits news on the grant in November. If successful, the funds will be used to construct a trench and berm around the wastewater plant, protecting it from flooding and improving communication between plants. The exact amount and funding agency remain uncertain.
