CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Citrus County has received $4,332,577 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Springs Restoration Grant Program.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the award during a recent press conference in Tampa, where he awarded more than $112 million in grants to improve water quality and supply across the state.
With the $16.4 million awarded from the state on Nov. 21 to improve wastewater infrastructure damaged by storms, the county has received over $20.7 million in grant money in recent weeks.
The Springs Restoration Grant will support the construction of a regional wastewater collection system in the east downtown area of Old Homosassa.
Citrus County has prioritized replacing commercial and residential onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems with central sewer connections to reduce nutrient pollution in the Homosassa spring shed.
Septic tanks in this area have contributed to high nutrient loadings to the nearby surface and groundwaters. This grant will allow for the connection of up to 200 residences with existing septic tanks, along with 226 vacant lots along the Homosassa River, to Citrus County’s wastewater system.
Wastewater will be routed away from environmentally sensitive areas to the county’s Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility for advanced treatment and beneficial reuse.
“Grant funding to support the project will help to minimize financial impacts to homeowners within the project area and help to realize the goal of preserving the Homosassa River and its spring system for all our citizens,” said Citrus County Water Resources Director Ken Cheek.
County Administrator Steve Howard added, “Both the State of Florida and Citrus County recognize the need to preserve and protect our waterways, and I am grateful we are able to work together to accomplish this project to protect our natural resources.”