Log In to GRU

  • Pay My Bill
  • View Billing History
  • Log In/Sign Up eBill Paper Billing
  • Update Email, Mailing Address & Phone Number
  • Start, Stop, Move Service
Log In
GRU

History of Gainesville Water

Our Community » Content » History of Gainesville Water

Serving Gainesville since 1891

  • 1891 - Gainesville purchased Boulware Springs to provide water to residents
  • 1894 - Construction completed on Boulware Springs pump house and retention basin
  • 1905 - Gainesville convinced the University of Florida to locate in Gainesville instead of Lake City with an offer of free water
  • 1905 & 1908 - Wells tapped into the Floridan Aquifer for additional water
  • 1929 - Citizens vote to prevent the City Commission from purchasing water or electricity from outside sources
  • 1930 - Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant begins operations (now serves the northeast and southeast areas); expansions in 1952 and 1991
  • 1948 - First water treatment facility is built downtown
  • 1949 - Gainesville becomes first city in Florida and 3rd in the nation to fluoridate its water supply to promote strong and healthy teeth
  • 1976 - Murphree Water Treatment Plant begins operations; expansion in 1990
  • 1977 - Kanapaha Wastewater Treatment Plant opens to serve customers in northwest and southwest areas. Later renamed the Kanapaha Water Reclamation Facility; expansions in 1984, 1990, 2000 and 2002.