Governor Ron DeSantis announced a sweeping investment of more than $389 million on Tuesday to improve water quality and expand water supply across Florida, marking another major milestone in the state’s ongoing environmental restoration efforts.
The funding includes $189 million in Water Quality Improvement Grants and $55 million for Alternative Water Supply Grants, with significant additional investments targeted toward Florida’s most fragile aquatic ecosystems:
- $100 million through the new Indian River Lagoon Protection Program,
- $25 million for the Caloosahatchee Watershed Grant Program, and
- $20 million for the Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvement Grant Program.
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“Florida’s waterways are a vital part of our environment, economy, and way of life, and protecting these resources continues to be a top priority,” said Governor DeSantis. “These investments will help safeguard water quality statewide and accelerate restoration efforts in key ecosystems like the Indian River Lagoon, Caloosahatchee River and Estuary, and Biscayne Bay.”
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reported overwhelming interest in this year’s Water Quality Improvement Grant cycle, receiving 348 project submissions requesting over $2.2 billion in funding.
Following a comprehensive review, 31 high-priority projects were selected based on their cost-effectiveness and potential to significantly reduce nutrient pollution.
These initiatives include septic-to-sewer conversions, upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities, and enhanced stormwater management systems. Collectively, the selected projects are expected to remove over 1.1 million pounds of total nitrogen and 286,000 pounds of phosphorus annually from Florida’s waterways.
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“Florida’s support for water quality projects is making a real impact in reducing nutrient pollution and improving the health of our waterways,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Governor DeSantis and the Legislature have made these investments a priority to provide needed resources for local leaders.”
Regional Highlights
- Indian River Lagoon: $100 million is being allocated to 25 water quality projects, focusing on fast-tracking nutrient reductions in one of Florida’s most ecologically sensitive waterways.
- Caloosahatchee River and Estuary: $25 million will fund four projects targeting immediate water quality improvements.
- Biscayne Bay: $20 million will support eight projects to address pollution and restore habitat in this iconic South Florida ecosystem.
In parallel with the water quality initiatives, the state is investing $55 million into 14 projects under the Alternative Water Supply Grant Program, aimed at producing over 40 million gallons of water per day within two years of completion. These projects will expand the use of reclaimed water, enhance aquifer recharge, and promote water conservation.
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Since 2019, Florida has invested $245 million in alternative water supply efforts, resulting in over 225 million gallons per day in new water sources to help meet the state’s growing demand.
Under the DeSantis administration, DEP has awarded nearly $2.9 billion to support 1,098 water quality projects across the state. These projects are expected to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels by 4.6 million and 893,000 pounds, respectively, each year.
Governor DeSantis has also proposed $550 million in his upcoming state budget to further protect water quality, along with $60 million to advance alternative water supply development.
These latest grants reflect the state’s growing commitment to protecting Florida’s natural resources, ensuring clean water for future generations while supporting local communities and ecosystems today.
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