Adam RollinsThe state of Florida has distributed a total of $389 million across five separate grant programs to fund critical water resource protection projects.
Projects receiving funding include efforts to improve water quality infrastructure, ecosystem restoration efforts and production of alternative water supplies by expanding reclaimed water usage, aquifer recharging and water conservation.
The programs receiving funding include:
- The Water Quality Improvement (WQI) Grant Program – $189 million.
- The Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Improvement (IRLWQI) Grant Program – $100 million.
- The Alternative Water Supply (AWS) Grant Program – $55 million.
- The Caloosahatchee Watershed Improvement (CWI) Grant Program – $25 million.
- The Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvement (BBWQI) Grant Program – $20 million.
The WQI program prioritizes projects that address nutrient pollution and water bodies that don’t meet water quality standards. The city of Deltona will receive the largest sum—$22 million— to expand and convert the Deltona Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility process operations and infrastructure. Haines City will spend $20 million to expand and upgrade its wastewater treatment plant, and Sarasota County will use $15.6 million to expand and convert the Venice Gardens Water Reclamation Facility into an advanced wastewater treatment facility.
In comparison, the IRLWQI program focuses on improving water quality in the Indian River Lagoon. Efforts supported through the program will center around wastewater improvements, stormwater management and other related projects. Martin County will receive $12.5 million to convert Port Salerno/New Monrovia from a septic system to a sewer system. The city of Vero Beach will spend $11.3 million to build a water reclamation facility, and the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority will begin the first phase of an advanced wastewater treatment plant construction project with $10 million.
The AWS program provides local governments with the support needed to implement water conservation, reuse and other water supply and resource development projects. The most notable project receiving funding from the state is St. Johns River Water Management District’s plan to invest $12 million to improve the Taylor Creek Reservoir.
The CWI program prioritizes wastewater and stormwater infrastructure efforts in the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary. Fort Myers will receive the most through this program—totaling $13.5 million— to expand reclaimed water treatment infrastructure at central advanced wastewater treatment facilities. The BBWQI program will deliver the lowest amount in funding, primarily supporting stormwater management infrastructure improvement projects and efforts to convert sewage system infrastructure around Biscayne Bay.
Photo courtesy Roen Wainscoat
