Staff Reports
Several North Central governments will receive state funds for water projects through the 2023 Water Quality Improvement Grant Program announced on Tuesday.
In total, the program will distribute $210 million to 27 projects across the state, including Alachua County, High Springs, Starke and Live Oak.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said the funds will help keep waterways clean for residents and visitors.
“It is important to protect and restore our waterways and to preserve the Florida way of life that has made us the Fishing and Boating Capital of the World,” said DeSantis in a press release.
According to the press release, the projects will reduce the nitrogen load in Florida waters by more than 1 million cumulative pounds per year. Reduced nitrogen will also lessen the impact of algal blooms.
Earlier in December, DeSantis released his Focus on Florida’s Future budget proposal for the next fiscal year. His allocation, which the Legislature must approve, sets aside $1.1 billion for environmental protection, including $135 million for next year’s Water Quality Improvement Grant Program.
In Florida’s past legislative session, the state expanded the projects that qualify for funds under the program, adding upgrades and repairs to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, septic-to-sewer conversions and projects to address agricultural nonpoint sources.
The North Central Florida project receiving funds are the following:
- Alachua County: $1.1 million for Newnans Lake System Hydrologic Restoration Project
- High Springs: $1.1 million for County Road 236 Septic-to-Sewer Project
- High Springs: $1,083,592 for Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion & Wetlands Project – Phase II
- Live Oak: $2,650,000 for Septic-to-Sewer and Reuse Project
- Starke: $2.5 million for Collections System Improvement Project
- Suwannee River Water Management District: $5 million for Agricultural Regional Water Quality Initiative.
You can find a full list of project awardees online.