Volusia Rewarded Over $20 Million In Water Quality Improvement Funds

Daytona Beach, FL – Volusia is set to receive part of $481 million that’s earmarked for 100 water-related projects across the state as part of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant program. Projects awarded by this grant program aim to improve water quality in water bodies across the state by reducing total nitrogen loading by 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.” According to the office of Governor Ron DeSantis, $394 million of those funds will be put towards wastewater treatment improvements, including septic to sewer projects and projects to upgrade to advanced waste treatment. The entirety of that $394 million came from federal funds. Another $67 million from the program will go towards projects aimed at protecting springs across the state, which includes land acquisition/conservation easements and wastewater infrastructure improvements. $50 million of that came from state funds, while the remaining $17 million came from federal funds. Per the FDEP, Volusia is receiving a $5.5 million grant reserved for an advanced wastewater treatment conversion project for the Indian River Lagoon, including Mosquito Lagoon. Another $14.95 million is being sent for projects regarding Blue Springs and Gemini Springs. News Daytona Beach has reached out to Volusia County officials to learn more about what exactly these projects entail and how the money will be used. We continue to wait for a response. For a list of all awarded wastewater projects, click here.