District awarded $25 million to advance key water supply projects
The Taylor Creek Reservoir, pictured above, will help provide up to 54 million gallons per day of additional potable water for the region.
The Taylor Creek Reservoir, pictured above, will help provide up to 54 million gallons per day of additional potable water for the region.
The St. Johns River Water Management District (District) has been awarded two major grants through the state’s Alternative Water Supply (AWS) Grant Program, announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis at an event this week in Tampa. The awards include $15 million for the Taylor Creek Reservoir Improvements Project and $10 million to support the new Water First North Florida project. These investments will help strengthen water-supply reliability and support long-term growth across central and northeast Florida.
The Taylor Creek Reservoir Improvements Project is the initial phase of a larger effort that will advance a key surface water supply already permitted to provide drinking water and irrigation. Originally built in the 1960s as part of a federal flood-control effort, the reservoir currently provides drinking water to communities in Brevard County, and irrigation water for agriculture. When completed, the overall project could eventually deliver up to 54 million gallons per day (mgd) of additional potable water, improving regional water security and reducing future impacts to springs and wetlands within central Florida.
The $10 million awarded for Water First North Florida will contribute to a larger regional effort to replenish the Upper Floridan aquifer and restore natural systems. Once implemented, the project is expected to return more than 40 mgd to the Floridan aquifer system, helping restore spring and river flows while supporting homes, farms and businesses across north Florida.
The project will take high-quality reclaimed water, further purify it through a natural wetland filtration system and recharge it into the Upper Floridan aquifer. It was selected from more than 100 alternative water-supply concepts as the most cost-effective and environmentally beneficial option to meet the region’s growing needs. The effort is a partnership between the St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and local utilities.
“We are grateful to Gov. DeSantis and state leadership for investing in long-term water-supply resilience,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Michael Register. “These funds allow us to move forward with projects that meet community needs while protecting the natural systems that define our region.”
Together, these projects advance the District’s mission to ensure a reliable water supply, promote conservation and protect the springs and waterways that sustain Florida’s environment and economy.
To learn more about Water First North Florida project, visit https://waterfirstnorthfl.com.