State Invests $112M in Water Quality

TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced more than $112 million in statewide grants to improve Florida’s water quality and strengthen long-term water supplies. The funding supports 53 projects ranging from alternative water development to springs restoration and new technology to manage harmful algal blooms.

The funding includes $50 million for 14 alternative water supply projects, $50 million for 23 projects aimed at restoring Florida’s natural freshwater springs and $12 million for 16 technology projects that will help detect, prevent and mitigate harmful algal blooms.

“My administration has made historic investments in protecting our water resources,” DeSantis said. “Florida is a leader in water resource protection, and we will continue to deliver results and act as responsible stewards of our resources.”

Alternative water supply

DeSantis awarded $50 million to support 14 projects that will collectively produce more than 94 million gallons of new water supply per day once fully operational. These projects expand reclaimed water, enhance aquifer recharge and promote conservation, the governor’s office said.

Protecting freshwater springs

The governor also awarded $50 million for 23 projects that will enhance spring flow and improve water quality through wastewater upgrades and other enhancements. The projects are designed to keep more than 100,000 pounds of nitrogen out of Florida’s springs each year, improving water clarity and overall spring health.

The Springs Restoration Grant Program supports communities statewide by funding land acquisitions and projects that support both improvements in water quality and spring flow. Project highlights include:

• $2.9 million for Newberry’s septic-to-sewer conversion project, replacing aging residential septic systems with centralized wastewater service, benefiting the Santa Fe River and springs.
• $1 million to Alachua Conservation Trust, Inc., for the Suwannee High Recharge Pinelands Land Acquisition, benefiting Rainbow River and Springs.
• $1.6 million for Inverness’ sewer extension septic-to-sewer project to connect residential and commercial septic systems to centralized sewer, benefiting Chassahowitzka-Homosassa Springs.
• $6.1 million for Wakulla County’s Crawfordville East phase V and VI septic-to-sewer project, benefiting the Upper Wakulla River and Wakulla Spring.

Technology to address algal blooms

The governor also awarded $12 million for 16 projects that use new technology to help prevent, detect and clean up harmful algal blooms. The funding expands Florida’s growing toolkit – giving local governments more vendors, science and rapid-response options when blooms appear.

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