In Case You Missed It: Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $100 Million to Protect Florida's Water Quality and Supply

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 28, 2026

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, [email protected]

In Case You Missed It: Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $100 Million to Protect Florida's Water Quality and Supply

CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $100 million across 45 projects to restore and protect Florida's water resources. Funded through the Springs Restoration and Alternative Water Supply grant programs, these projects will protect and restore Florida's iconic springs while expanding alternative water sources and promoting water conservation.

"Today in Crystal River, I was proud to announce $100 million for springs restoration and alternative water supply projects throughout Florida," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "These strategic investments will build on the progress we've made in protecting our natural resources and improving water quality in communities across Florida, so that we can leave this state to God better than we found it."

"Year after year, Governor DeSantis has demonstrated a firm commitment to protecting Florida's waters," said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. "We will continue to work cooperatively with local communities to secure the sustainable clean water supply that is critical for Florida's future."

The Springs Restoration Grant Program supports communities by funding projects that support both improvements in water quality and spring flow. $50 million in funding will be awarded to 23 projects aimed at restoring Florida's world-renowned springs through wastewater upgrades and other enhancements that will collectively reduce Total Nitrogen by more than 55,000 pounds per year. Awards include:

• $3 million to Citrus County's septic to sewer conversion and upgrade project to include nitrogen reducing enhancements benefitting Chassahowitzka-Homosassa Springs and Kings Bay and Crystal River Springs.

• $3 million to Suwannee River Water Management District, for the Suwannee Sandhill Tract - Drew Property Land Acquisition, benefiting the Middle and Lower Suwannee River Basin.

• $3 million for the City of DeLand's regional pumpstation and sewer extension project to provide increased capacity and extend sewer services to support future connections of residential properties to centralized sewer, benefiting the Volusia Blue Springshed.
  
  
• $4 million for Volusia County's septic upgrade incentive project, assisting homeowners to remediate existing conventional septic systems to include nitrogen reducing enhancements, benefiting DeLeon Spring.

Since 2019, Florida has now invested $480 million to advance springs restoration projects, leading to an estimated annual reduction of approximately 900,000 pounds of Total Nitrogen per year. The projects announced today continue this forward momentum, helping protect Florida's springs for future generations.

Additionally, $50 million has been awarded for 22 projects aimed at reducing Florida's reliance on traditional freshwater sources by expanding the use of alternative water supplies. These projects will help produce over 60 million gallons of water per day. The selected projects focus on expanding reclaimed water use, enhancing aquifer recharge and promoting water conservation, and include:

• $12.6 million to seven communities in Polk County to diversify and expand their available water supplies to include brackish water in coordination with the Polk Regional Water Cooperative.

• $10 million to Tampa Bay Water to expand surface water treatment capacity by 12.5 million gallons of water per day to meet water demands.
  
  
• $19.1 million for six reclaimed water projects that will offset potable water demands, including reuse expansion at the City of Fort Myers' Central Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility and transmission expansion in the City of Apopka.

Since the program's inception in 2019, the legislature has appropriated $385 million in funding, including today's awards. To date, funds committed by the Alternative Water Supply Grant Program will result in over 400 million gallons of water per day when projects are fully online.

A full list of Water Quality and Supply Grant projects selected for Fiscal Year 2026-27 can be found at ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/Grants.

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