Governor Ron DeSantis has announced more than $112 million in grants to improve water quality and supply across Florida. The funding will be distributed among three main initiatives: $50 million for 14 alternative water supply projects, $50 million for 23 projects focused on restoring freshwater springs, and $12 million for 16 innovative technology projects targeting harmful algal blooms.
Governor DeSantis stated, “My administration has made historic investments in protecting our water resources. Florida is a leader in water resource protection, and we will continue to deliver results and act as responsible stewards of our resources.”
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert added, “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, our decisions are driven by science and long-term stewardship. The funding announced today will help communities secure reliable water supplies, improve water quality and better respond to environmental challenges. These investments reflect our commitment to protecting the resources that support our economy and our way of life.”
The alternative water supply initiative aims to create over 94 million gallons of new daily water supply once the supported projects become operational. These efforts include expanding reclaimed water use, enhancing aquifer recharge, and promoting conservation measures to ensure adequate supplies for both communities and natural systems.
Drew Bartlett, Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District said, “The South Florida Water Management District continues to prioritize the health of our waterways and reduce nutrient pollution such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus. These awards help conserve our precious water resources while meeting the state’s water needs. Partnering with local governments and other entities to conserve and reuse fresh water is an important and effective way to help accomplish this goal. Thank you, Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for prioritizing these investments that will create infrastructure projects to improve the environment and our water resources.”
Brian Armstrong from Southwest Florida Water Management District commented on planning for population growth: “Developing alternative water supplies requires long-term planning and is critical to meeting the projected population growth and associated water supply demands in our region,” he said.
Mike Register from St. Johns River Water Management District remarked on state leadership: “Florida continues to demonstrate real leadership in securing a resilient water supply for our future,” he said.
Hugh Thomas from Suwannee River Water Management District noted proactive solutions: “Florida continues to lead the way in developing proactive solutions to meet our growing water needs,” he said.
Lyle Seigler from Northwest Florida Water Management District emphasized innovation: “A commitment to alternative water supply projects not only helps protect our precious natural resources but it shows innovative thinking on the part of our state leaders,” he said.
Since 2019, over $335 million has been invested by Florida into alternative water supply projects that are expected eventually to provide more than 445 million gallons per day of additional capacity.
In addition, $50 million will go toward restoring some of Florida’s most recognized freshwater springs through various wastewater upgrades aimed at reducing total nitrogen by more than 100,000 pounds per year statewide. Notable funded efforts include septic-to-sewer conversions benefiting several rivers and springs as well as land acquisitions intended for conservation purposes.
Since 2019, about $430 million has gone toward springs restoration across 147 different projects with significant reductions in annual nitrogen levels achieved as a result.
Another component involves $12 million allocated toward deploying new technologies designed specifically for preventing or mitigating harmful algal blooms—an ongoing challenge affecting aquatic ecosystems throughout the state. Six technology vendors now remain ready statewide due partly to prior investments under this program established following recommendations from the Blue-Green Algae Task Force in 2019; since then it has received a total allocation of $75 million supporting 68 distinct projects.
Dr. Mark Rains, Chief Science Officer for Florida stated: “By investing in emerging technologies, we are expanding our scientific capacity to better understand and manage harmful algal blooms. These projects integrate real-time monitoring, predictive modeling, and field-scale treatment systems to improve how we forecast bloom conditions and implement rapid mitigation strategies. The result is a more data-driven, adaptive approach to protecting Florida’s aquatic ecosystems.”
For further details about specific grant-funded initiatives scheduled for Fiscal Year 2025–26—including lists of all selected Alternative Water Supply Grant Projects—visit ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/Grants.
