Florida Awards $100M for Springs Restoration and Water Supply Projects

On October 28, 2026, Florida announced $100 million across 45 projects through its Springs Restoration and Alternative Water Supply grant programs for FY 2026–27. The portfolio is split evenly: $50 million for 23 springs-restoration projects and $50 million for 22 alternative-water-supply projects. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the awards in Crystal River, describing them as investments to protect water resources, improve water quality, and expand sustainable supplies. The funded work spans local and regional projects rather than a single statewide construction package, so firms should assess opportunities project by project.

The grants have already been selected and therefore do not represent an open solicitation for prime contractors. Their procurement significance is downstream: grant recipients may need engineering, construction, equipment, and specialized services to carry out funded improvements. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection says the springs program supports both water-quality improvements and spring flow. The 23 springs projects are expected collectively to reduce Total Nitrogen by more than 55,000 pounds per year, while the state reports that its investments in springs restoration since 2019 total $480 million and have contributed to an estimated annual reduction of approximately 900,000 pounds of Total Nitrogen.

Specific awards illustrate the range of potential requirements. Citrus County received $3 million for a septic-to-sewer conversion and upgrade project with nitrogen-reducing enhancements benefiting the Chassahowitzka-Homosassa Springs, Kings Bay, and Crystal River Springs. The Suwannee River Water Management District received $3 million for land acquisition at the Suwannee Sandhill Tract – Drew Property, benefiting the Middle and Lower Suwannee River Basin. In Volusia County, a $3 million award supports a septic upgrade incentive project to help homeowners add nitrogen-reducing enhancements, while the City of DeLand received $3 million for a regional pump station and sewer extension intended to expand capacity and enable future residential connections to centralized sewer.

The alternative-water-supply portfolio also includes a $10 million Tampa Bay Water project to expand surface-water treatment capacity by 12.5 million gallons per day. That project may create requirements related to treatment plant expansion, process equipment, controls, commissioning, and related infrastructure, subject to the owner’s procurement approach and schedule. Contractors should review the full project list at ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/Grants, identify recipients and locations aligned with their capabilities, and monitor local procurement channels for design and construction solicitations. Relevant competencies include wastewater and sewer construction, septic-system upgrades, water-treatment capacity, reclaimed-water systems, aquifer recharge, and conservation infrastructure.

• Florida selected 45 projects totaling $100 million for FY 2026–27; the awards are grants already made, not an open state solicitation.
• The portfolio includes $50 million for 23 springs-restoration projects and $50 million for 22 alternative-water-supply projects.
• Springs projects are expected to reduce Total Nitrogen by more than 55,000 pounds annually, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
• Citrus County received $3 million for septic-to-sewer conversion and upgrades with nitrogen-reducing enhancements benefiting local springs and Kings Bay.
• The Suwannee River Water Management District received $3 million for the Suwannee Sandhill Tract – Drew Property land acquisition, benefiting the Middle and Lower Suwannee River Basin.
• The City of DeLand’s $3 million regional pump station and sewer extension project is intended to add capacity and support future residential connections to centralized sewer.
• Volusia County received $4 million for a septic-upgrade incentive project supporting nitrogen-reducing improvements for homeowners near DeLeon Spring.
• Tampa Bay Water received $10 million to expand surface-water treatment capacity by 12.5 million gallons per day; firms should check for related project-specific procurement activity.
• Since 2019, Florida reports $480 million invested in springs restoration, associated with an estimated annual reduction of approximately 900,000 pounds of Total Nitrogen.
• Contractors should use ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/Grants to identify funded projects and pursue downstream opportunities in sewer, treatment, reclaimed water, aquifer recharge, septic improvements, and conservation.