Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the state will award over $112 million in grants to enhance water quality and supply across Florida's Gulf Coast and Central Florida during a press conference in Tampa this week.
"We have worked hard to protect our natural water resources and our freshwater supply for future generations," DeSantis said.
Specifically, Gov. DeSantis specified $50 million of the money will go to fourteen alternative water supply grants, which include St John's River, Suwannee River, Northwest Florida Water Management Districts, Polk Regional Water Cooperative, Toho Water Authority in Osceola County, and the cities of Cape Coral, Winter Haven, and Live Oak.
He noted the projects are expected to produce 94 million gallons of water per day once operational.
Moreover, Gov. DeSantis announced the state will grant $50 million to 23 projects for the state's natural freshwater springs. The grants include the cities of Crystal River, Inverness, Oakland, Williston, Archer, as well as Hernando, Citrus, Levy, Jackson, and Leon counties.
He said the funding should reduce nitrogen in the springs by 100,000 pounds per year, adding that the grants will help connect septic systems to sewer lines to help improve water quality efforts, including making it cleaner and healthier for Floridians.
The governor also announced $12 million in grants for state universities and counties to help fight against harmful algae blooms. They include funding to the University of South Florida, University of Florida, University of Miami, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, as well as Polk and Seminole counties.
The Innovative Technology for Harmful Algal Blooms Grant (HABS) was established during DeSantis's first year in office. Since that time, the state has appropriated $75 million and supported 68 projects to help fight against harmful algal blooms.
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary (DEP) Alexis Lambert, DEP Chief Science Officer Mark Rains, Polk Regional Water Cooperative Executive Director Eric de Haven, and other representatives joined DeSantis for the announcement.
To help with water quality, Gov. DeSantis announced the groundbreaking of a new inflow pump station as part of the state's Everglades restoration effort last month.
