Eight area projects recommended for Springs Funding by SRWMD Governing Board

LIVE OAK, FLA., MAY 28, 2025 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) Governing Board this month recommended eight projects to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for Springs Funding. 

The eight projects – three District projects, three local government projects and two projects to a non-profit organization – total more than $114 million. This funding request is part of FDEP’s Springs and Watershed Restoration program which provides funding for projects that improve the quality and quantity of the state’s water resources. FDEP works with the water management districts, local governments, and other stakeholders to identify and implement springs projects that achieve these goals. 

“As our state continues to grow, we need to continue to identify innovative ways to grow our water supply pie while protecting our natural resources. Funding projects like these is beneficial to the preservation of our springs,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the District. “For our small communities and cooperators, this funding is often key to whether a project moves forward or not. Without it, our area would struggle to implement critical water supply, water quality, and land conservation projects, causing our natural resources to suffer and growth to stall. The District is appreciative of the Governor’s and Legislator’s approval for this funding”.  

Recommended projects include:  

• Suwannee Valley Land Acquisitions for Resource Recovery and Conservation – SRWMD – This $20.6 million request is for land acquisition over four years for the purposes of water resource and water supply development projects, conservation projects, and management that would benefit the Wacissa, Suwannee, and Santa Fe rivers. 
• Agricultural Springs Protection Phase Two – SRWMD – This five-year, $15 million cost-share effort reduces nutrient load and water usage with priority given to projects within a Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) or planning area. 
• Lake Sampson Drainage Well Water Quality Improvement – SRWMD – In support of springs along the Santa Fe River, this $3 million project supports a stormwater treatment system to reduce nutrients and other contaminants prior to entering the replacement drainage well for Lake Sampson.
• Sustainable Suwannee Cooperative Agricultural Regional Water Quality Initiative Dairy Farm Edition – United Dairy Farms of America – This $1.58 million project supports the continuation of design and implementation of dairy sustainability practices Districtwide to reduce impacts from nutrients and groundwater pumping. 
• Avalon Woodland Ravines Conservation Easement – Tall Timbers Research, Inc. – This $1.58 million project includes the purchase of a conservation easement on a 5,495-acre property in Jefferson County within the Wacissa River and Wacissa Springs Group BMAP and the Wacissa Springs Group Priority Focus Area (PFA)..
• Septic Tank Phase Out Project Phase 3 – Town of Bronson – This $18.8 million project extends the town’s sewer system, removing 270 septic systems and converting them to central sewer, reducing approximately 1,611 pounds of nitrogen. 
• Advanced Wastewater Treatment / Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements – City of Trenton – The current wastewater treatment facility will be expanded and upgraded to reduce approximately 4,836 pounds of nitrogen. This upgrade will provide highly treated effluent to the sprayfield for further treatment before recharging the aquifer.
• Advanced Wastewater Treatment / Waste Water Treatment Facility Expansion and Upgrade – City of Chiefland – This $34.4 million project upgrades and expands the current treatment facility to reduce approximately 8,180 pounds of nitrogen each year. It will also include sewer system improvements and a new lift station to address overcapacity. 
   

Two additional projects were submitted by applicants that are not recommended for funding in this fiscal year Springs cycle. The applications have been recommended for further development or alternative funding sources. 

The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties. 

For more information about the District, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.

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