Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $100 Million to Protect Florida's Water Quality and Supply

CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. ~ Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $100 million in grants for 45 projects to restore springs, expand alternative water supplies and promote conservation.

The funding, awarded through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Springs Restoration and Alternative Water Supply grant programs, is split evenly between the two programs.

The Springs Restoration Grant Program will provide $50 million for 23 projects intended to improve water quality and spring flow. The projects are expected to reduce total nitrogen by more than 55,000 pounds annually, according to the state.

Among the awards are $3 million for Citrus County septic-to-sewer conversions and upgrades benefiting the Chassahowitzka-Homosassa Springs, Kings Bay and Crystal River Springs; $3 million for a Suwannee River Water Management District land acquisition benefiting the Middle and Lower Suwannee River Basin; and $4 million for a Volusia County program to help homeowners upgrade septic systems near DeLeon Spring.

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The state said Florida has invested $480 million in springs restoration since 2019, with projects estimated to reduce total nitrogen by about 900,000 pounds per year.

The Alternative Water Supply Grant Program will provide $50 million for 22 projects expected to produce more than 60 million gallons of water per day. Projects include $12.6 million for seven Polk County communities to expand supplies that include brackish water, and $10 million for Tampa Bay Water to increase surface-water treatment capacity by 12.5 million gallons per day.

The state also awarded $19.1 million for six reclaimed-water projects intended to reduce demand for drinking water, including expansions in Fort Myers and Apopka.

DeSantis said the investments would build on efforts to protect natural resources and improve water quality. Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert said the state would continue working with local communities to secure a sustainable water supply.

The state said the alternative-water program has received $385 million in legislative appropriations since its 2019 inception, including the latest awards. Projects funded to date are expected to provide more than 400 million gallons of water per day when fully operational.

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