Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are sending $114 million to help fund wastewater treatment efforts and improve water quality across the state.
The grants come courtesy of the Wastewater Grant Program, which was created as part of the Clean Waterways Act. Around 46% of this year’s funding will go toward projects in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).
“Since I first took office, expediting water quality restoration has been one of my top priorities,” DeSantis said Friday.
“The Indian River Lagoon covers 40% of Florida’s east coast and is one of our state’s most iconic and critical natural resources, contributing an estimated $2 billion annually for tourism and recreation and $767 million to the marine industry. I am happy to join DEP and project partners here today to celebrate these projects that will help protect and restore the lagoon for future generations.”
The two largest grants announced Friday will go to septic-to-sewer conversion projects. Nearly $37 million will go to Wekiwa Springs in Orange County, while just over $20 million will fund a project in Hillsborough County’s Gibsonton area.