Leon County has been awarded $4.5 million in state Springs Restoration grants to extend central sewer service in Woodville and help homeowners upgrade septic systems, reducing nitrogen that reaches Wakulla Springs.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the awards Wednesday in Crystal River as part of $50 million for nearly two dozen projects statewide through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Springs Restoration Grant Program.
Leon County press release:
Leon County Receives $4.5 Million in State Grants to Protect Wakulla Springs
Leon County has been awarded $4.5 million in state Springs Restoration grants to extend central sewer service in Woodville and help homeowners upgrade septic systems, reducing nitrogen that reaches Wakulla Springs.
“This $4.5 million investment is an important step toward improving water quality in Woodville and protecting Wakulla Springs for future generations,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban. “We appreciate the state’s partnership in helping our community expand sewer service, address septic system impacts and protect the natural resources that make southern Leon County so special.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the awards Oct. 28 in Crystal River as part of $50 million for 23 projects statewide through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Springs Restoration Grant Program.
Leon County’s awards include:
· $3.5 million for the Woodville Sewer System Project to support Phase 2 construction, which will extend central sewer service to more than 350 properties in the Primary Springs Protection Zone;
· $1 million for the Septic Upgrade Incentive Program, which provides eligible residents in the Primary Springs Protection Zone up to $7,500 to replace conventional septic systems with advanced nitrogen-reducing systems.
The Woodville Sewer System Project is a four-phase, approximately $110 million initiative to provide central sewer service to approximately 1,000 properties in the Woodville community.
Phase 1, completed in December 2025, serves 175 properties. Design and permitting for the $34 million Phase 2 are complete, and the final easement agreement is expected to be executed by January 2027.
Phase 2 covers Oak Ridge Road East, Natural Bridge Road and the areas between Summerhaven Drive and Natural Bridge Road on both sides of Woodville Highway.
Design for Phases 3 and 4 is nearly complete, positioning both phases to compete for future state and federal funding.
Following this award, the County anticipates advertising for construction bids by summer 2027, with construction beginning in late 2027. Consistent with previous phases, the County will match the Woodville award with available local sales tax revenue for water quality improvements.
The Septic Upgrade Incentive Program is funded entirely by state Springs Restoration grants and requires no local match.
When a septic system in the Wakulla Springs Priority Focus Area is repaired or replaced, state rules require an advanced nitrogen-reducing system.
To date, the program has upgraded 300 septic systems with more than $3 million in state funding, and the new award is expected to support approximately 133 additional upgrades.
“The state keeps investing in Leon County because our team has a strong record of delivering these projects and putting grant dollars to work,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “This funding helps protect Wakulla Springs and the aquifer for the long term, while giving more homeowners real help with the cost of upgrading their septic systems.”
The awards continue a partnership that began in 2018 under the Leon County Water Quality and Springs Protection Infrastructure Improvement Plan, through which the County and the state have jointly committed more than $70 million to water quality and springs protection projects in the Primary Springs Protection Zone.
Both programs reduce nutrient loading to the aquifer, Wakulla Springs and other connected water resources.
