Water Infrastructure: Florida Distributes $100 Million to Expand Supplies
The state directs $22.6 million to Tampa Bay and Polk County while committing the full sum to 45 alternative supply and springs restoration projects.
By Samuel Hayes ·
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a $100 million statewide water investment on Wednesday in Crystal River, allocating funds to 45 projects aimed at securing drinking water supplies and restoring natural springs.
The first major allocation sends $22.6 million directly to the Tampa Bay and Polk County regions. Tampa Bay Water, which serves member governments in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, receives $10 million to increase its surface water treatment capacity by 12.5 million gallons per day.
The remaining $12.6 million in this regional batch goes to seven communities in Polk County. These funds support the Polk Regional Water Cooperative in developing new drinking water sources from brackish water, a supply that contains more salt than freshwater but less than seawater and requires specific treatment for consumption.
The state’s second $50 million commitment focuses on springs restoration and water quality improvements across 23 distinct projects. These initiatives target nitrogen pollution through wastewater infrastructure upgrades and septic-to-sewer conversions. In Citrus County, $3 million will specifically benefit the Chassahowitzka-Homosassa Springs and Kings Bay and Crystal River Springs by reducing nitrogen load by more than 55,000 pounds annually.
The alternative supply portion of the announcement includes $50 million for 22 projects designed to generate more than 60 million gallons per day. This category covers reclaimed water systems, aquifer recharge, and conservation efforts. Six reclaimed water projects share $19.1 million of this funding, including an expansion at Fort Myers’ Central Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility and a transmission line in Apopka.
Since 2019, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has tracked $480 million in springs restoration investments and $385 million in legislative appropriations for the Alternative Water Supply Grant Program. Officials estimate the combined portfolio will reduce nitrogen pollution by approximately 900,000 pounds per year and provide over 400 million gallons of water daily once fully operational.
These awards cover projects selected for fiscal year 2026-27, though the state has not yet specified the operational timeline for the new Tampa Bay treatment capacity or the Polk County brackish water facilities.
