Several area projects will benefit from $112 million in grants recently awarded by the state.
Gov. Ron Desantis announced that these grants will help improve water quality and quantity through supporting alternative water supply projects, innovative technology and restoration projects at area springs.
The Polk Regional Water Cooperative (PRWC) is one of the local organizations to benefit from the grant money. This regional water supply authority was created to help plan, develop and deliver a future high-quality drinking water supply to meet both local and regional needs, while protecting Polk County’s precious water resources. The PRWC will receive a $9.2 million grant for the Southeast Wellfield Implementation Project. The project’s goal is to use the brackish, Lower Floridan aquifer as a “non-traditional” water supply.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) and the PRWC are working together on the Southeast and West Polk wellfields and a regional transmission system that will provide 22.5 million gallons per day to ensure a sustainable water supply for the region. The total estimated cost of the projects is $657 million with the District prioritizing $296 million.
“Developing alternative water supplies requires long-term planning and is critical to meeting the projected population growth and associated water supply demands in our region,” said Brian Armstrong, District Executive Director. “We are grateful to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their leadership and foresight in prioritizing the development of alternative water supplies.”
Additionally, the state awarded $50 million in grants to projects aimed at restoring springs, including some local area projects in Citrus, Marion and Hernando counties.
Since 2019, Florida has invested $335 million in alternative water supply projects, creating more than 445 million gallons per day of future water supply to meet growing demands and $430 million to support springs restoration projects.
To learn more about specific projects receiving grants, visit ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/Grants.