WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS – The Okeechobee Utility Authority has been awarded a $21,020,580 grant for the Treasure Island Septic-to-Sewer Infrastructure project.

The federal grant was among the 103 wastewater and springs projects announced Nov. 9 by  Governor DeSantis, Florida Department of Environmental Protection  Secretary Shawn Hamilton, and Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Rains.

The 103 wastewater and springs projects, totaling $481 million,  will improve water quality in waterbodies across Florida, reducing total nitrogen loading by a combined more than 700,000 pounds per year.

“These awards are going to make a big difference for our world-renowned springs and water quality all throughout the state of Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida’s water resources are what our economy runs on – they are an economic driver, but even apart from that, our environment is really integral to what these communities are all about. We’re blessed to have it and we have a responsibility to leave it better than we found it.

“Today, we are taking another step forward for the protection of our state’s natural resources,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “This funding will support 103 important projects to construct, upgrade, or expand wastewater treatment facilities to provide advanced waste treatment, upgrade or convert traditional septic systems, and acquire land that will restore and protect our springs and other waterways.

“We are so honored to have Governor DeSantis visit Weeki Wachee Springs State Park for today’s important announcement,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson. “Florida’s pristine natural beauty is world-renowned and together with Governor DeSantis, the Florida Legislature has worked to ensure that we have the funds necessary to preserve these resources. We have been working for many years to dedicate more resources to wastewater programs that we know make a huge difference in our environment, and our Governor has been a tremendous champion of those efforts.”

The more than $481 million awarded was made available through three grant programs administered by DEP – the Wastewater Grant Program, Springs restoration grants, and the Small Community Wastewater Grant Program.

• $394 million from the Wastewater Grant Program for wastewater treatment improvements, including septic to sewer projects and projects to upgrade to advanced waste treatment. The $394 million awarded  is from federal funds.
• $67 million for projects to protect Florida’s world-renowned springs including land acquisition/conservation easements and wastewater infrastructure improvements. Of the $67 million awarded today, $50 million is from state funds and $17 million is from federal funds.
• $20 million for the Small Community Wastewater Grant Program for wastewater facility improvements in Rural Areas of Economic Opportunity and financially disadvantaged communities. The $20 million awarded today is from federal funds.

For a list of all awarded wastewater projects, visit here.

DEP’s wastewater grant program was established in the Clean Waterways Act. The program prioritizes wastewater projects in basin management action plans, restoration plan areas and rural areas of opportunity and also requires at least a 50% match, which may be waived by DEP for rural areas of opportunity. Wastewater infrastructure projects that are eligible for grant funding include projects to construct, upgrade, or expand wastewater treatment facilities to provide advanced waste treatment and projects to upgrade or convert traditional septic systems.  All projects funded through the wastewater grant program within DEP will reduce nutrient pollution to Florida’s waterways.

The Small Community Wastewater Grant Program funds septic to sewer conversions and wastewater treatment facility improvements in Rural Areas of Opportunity and Fiscally Constrained Counties, as defined in Section 288.0656 and 218.67(1), Florida Statutes.