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DEP Finds Century Using Pump Not Meant For Drinking Water To Supply Prison
May 7, 2024
The Florida Department Environmental Protection (DEP) has discovered that that a temporary pump being used to provide drinking water to the Century prison was not certified safe for drinking water.
In a warning letter to Mayor Luis Gomez on Monday, DEP said the temporary bypass pump on Tedder Road was not National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) 61 certified as safe for drinking water as required by Florida Administrative Code.
“Violations of Florida Statutes or administrative rules may result in liability for damages and restoration, and the judicial imposition of civil penalties,” Elizabeth Mullins Orr, DEP Northwest District direct, wrote. “Please be advised that this Warning Letter is part of an agency investigation, preliminary to agency action.”
In May 2020, the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the Century Correctional Institution failed. A permanent interconnect from Central Water Works to the Century water system was completed in May 2020 to provide a dependable water supply to the prison.
The town later installed a diesel temporary bypass pump on Tedder Road next to the Century Fire Station to allow water to be pumped from wells in town to the prison. The was in operation for several months before DEP received a tip that alleged the pump serving the prison was not certified as a potable (drinking) water pump but instead may have been previously used to pump sewage.
DEP responded to the tip with a site visit on April 30 and inspected the pump, finding it to not meet drinking water standard.
NorthEscambia.com also received an anonymous tip regarding the pump on April 29. When we photographed the pump that day, flexible connection hoses were labeled as being for potable water, but there were no obvious certifications or drinking water markings visible on the pump.
Century has since removed the temporary diesel pump and installed an in-line electric pump.
Pictured: A diesel powered temporary bypass pump provided water to the Century Correctional Institution on April 29. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
27 Responses to “DEP Finds Century Using Pump Not Meant For Drinking Water To Supply Prison”
Camp Lejeune….need I say more?
How much longer do we have to hear about the short comings from the town of Century. Every week there is more and more exposure of how poorly this town is and has been ran. The state needs to step in and disband the charter and turn this over to the county.
Good afternoon, I am the mother of an inmate at Century. He told me that they have a problem with the water that is contaminated, and that they are letting him take empty bottles to the dining room to refill them and take them to their rooms, but he tells me that the The water is not clear, it used to be stained blue, and they used to drink it and now it comes out as cloudy, and they also say that it is water from the pipe, so why did they take away the water in the prison, if they continue to give them contaminated water? I hope the county does something soon with this, because it is not just the inmates, they are contaminating everyone who feeds on this crime, may the Lord take care of them and cover them from any disease, in the name of Jesus, amen
What y’all worrying about, you know they test the water regularly.
OH WAIT ………
The part they are not telling you is that DEP, the very entity claiming to find this issue, is the entity that approved the use of the pump, and was fully aware that the diesel driven pump was being used, even gave procedures for the sampling that cleared the pump and the system before it was put online. Just as a note, a NSF stamp or label doesn’t make a pump safe, there are thousands of pumps used every day in water systems that don’t have that stamp that provide safe reliable drinking water. I know, we use them every day. But I do agree with Mr. Green, don’t get put in prison and you want have to worry about it.
My family lives approximately one mile northeast of the prison. The noise was so loud at night, he asked a town of Century worker if someone was running a generator at night that would rev up and change gears and was told it was a pump. A few weeks later, my family noticed how bad the water tasted, but was told from an official no one else had complained. The mayor then announced on local news sources the water was safe to drink, but unfortunately it’s not safe to drink with copper in it for 2 of my family members with health issues. ( was told by his doctor today the long term effects could be bad on him). We have heard several locals in the area mention class action lawsuits and would certainly be interested.
I live 1/2 mile from that pump. It has been running for several months!! The noise was so loud I could hear it in my home with the windows closed. The Town received complaints about the noise so they leaned a piece of plywood up against it to block the noise. Within a day or so the wind repeatedly blew the plywood down so they eventually did what is shown in the photos. I can’t imagine how loud it was, or how hard it was trying to steep, for the people living right there. But, they’ll just blame Heath and plead ignorance as they usually do and nothing will be done. I hopefully the Fl Dept of corrections will investigate once the law suits are filed. We’ll see…
But just 2 weeks ago, the almighty Gomez said the water was safe to drink. He would put his reputation on it. Welp, here’s your sign Gomez. Your reputation is crap. Your a full blown idiot.
@23 yr water technician
Yes I certainly did read it. I live on staff housing. I drink/bathe with the exact same water the inmates do.
@Fred
Did you read the article? Clearly states the pump supplied water to the prison. Curious if your family is incarcerated? Not defending the use of a non NSF rated pump at all.
Result of running a town like a banana republic. They can blame Boutwell if they like but none of this tomfoolery was afoot while he was in office…in this instance the “wastewater” rolls down hill.
“…State Conducts Random Inspection of Escambia County EMS…”
Maybe the state should do the same thing in Century?
It’s going to take centuries for Century to become current with the times. They are stuck in the Dinosaur Age. What a mess. Before too long there will be class action lawsuits and what will they do then? How embarrassing and negligent for those in charge.
Hey Flint, Michigan, hold my beer.
@W. Ward – Based on the number of years William has been writing these stories, apparently a long, long time.
Anne I didn’t see any screening fence in the photos and was thinking how easily someone could vandalize it sitting out in the open like that and then the prison would be without water again. Also they seemed to be able to replace it very quickly after getting caught so why haven’t they already done this before now ? How much does each council member get paid and what exactly do they do to EARN it ? I’m serious what do they do ! Are there eyes watching where the town money is going ? Does anyone ever go over the books and make sure it’s all being used as it’s meant to be used . There just seems to be some shady things happening . Just my opinion but I think the citizens of Century need to wake up and do something , their town seems to be circling the drain
The question was posed asking if Century government can get any worse. The answer is yes, more coming, its a matter of time. The state needs to revoke their charter. What I found is the obvious effort to hide this pump from public view. Criminal deception.
Let’s see I’m thinking this mayor needs to be removed permanently and replaced with a 3 year old !!! Wait a minute then you would have the same problem maybe !!!!!
Digging up bones!
That pump has a Hydra Service Decal, I am sure more than 1 person knew that’s a sewage pump!!!!!!!
YET ANOTHER REASON TO AVOID PRISON.
@ Derek. You would be amazed at how much worse it can be.
The shenanigans and skullduggery continue unchecked.
@derek…careful, the town may see your comment as a challenge.
Looks like they tried to hide this pump with that screening fence. Bet the mayor knew it was WRONG to use that pump and like much of the rest of ‘mamagement’ it was hidden.
What in the world does it take before there’s a forensic investigation into the running and mismanagement of this little town?
Town council should have to drink, bathe, cook in the water from this pump.
How long is the state of FL going to allow the incompetent government of Century to continue?
This is deplorable!! My family drank that water every single day!! How can any human being, especially one responsible for the public’s safe consumption of water, allow a person to drink from a wastewater pump?!?! This is intentional poisoning, wreckless, neglectful and intentionally deceitful. If there’s a way to charge them criminally for this I will find it.
Can century government get any worse? Seriously?