Florida legislators signed off Wednesday on $25 million worth of funding for nearly 30 projects intended to improve water quality in the state's springs.
The legislature required the state environmental protection agency to come up with a plan before releasing the dollars. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s says the proposal will impact hundreds of Springs around the state.
"The variety and scope of the projects will help restore and protect water sheds encompassing more than 350 Florida Springs, including the Santa Fe and Suwanee River and their associated springs," says DEP's Tom Frick.
Other springs that will benefit from the funding include Wakulla, Silver, Wekiva, and Crystal springs. The Wakulla Springs project in North Florida will switch nearby homes from septic tanks to city sewer to reduce nitrates seeping into the spring. Local water management districts and governments have put up an additional 40-million in matching funds for the projects.
