Alternative water supply and water conservation cost-share opportunity open until Aug. 7
PALATKA, Fla., July 14, 2020 — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have approved $40 million in funding for fiscal year 2020-21 for development of water supply and water resource development projects. The St. Johns River Water Management District is inviting local governments and other entities to submit their regional alternative water supply (AWS) and water conservation projects within its 18-county service area for funding consideration.
AWS projects and water conservation programs identified in the Central Florida Water Initiative, North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership, Central Springs/East Coast Water Supply Planning regions and approved minimum flows and levels (MFL) recovery and prevention strategies can pursue up to 50 percent cost-share funding by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The district is coordinating the submittal review process, which closes Aug. 7 at 4 p.m.
Eligible projects for consideration will be construction-ready AWS projects or ready-to-implement water conservation technology programs.
Projects may:
- Provide regional benefits, including water conservation and water resource development projects
- Benefit water bodies with adopted MFLs, particularly those that are in recovery or prevention
- Provide dual benefits to water supply and water quality
- Include complementary efforts, such as AWS projects that also provide flood protection, or recreational benefits
Other factors include cost effectiveness and return on investment, that is, the amount of funding the state grant will leverage by district and/or local cooperators, while recognizing the funding limitations of economically disadvantaged community programs.
Contact the district at 2021AWS@sjrwmd.com for more information.