Water Protection Grants
Doing more now for Florida’s environment
Less than 48 hours after being sworn in, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order outlining his bold vision to protect water and natural resources, which are the foundation of Florida's communities, economy and way of life. The executive order directs strategic action with a focus on accountability, transparency and collaboration and includes a proposed $2.5 billion investment over the next four years.
During the 2020 legislative session, Governor DeSantis secured the dedicated funding to reach this goal. To execute these historic investments, the Department of Environmental Protection is seeking project proposals to protect and restore Florida’s water resources. Project proposals for this state fiscal year were due on or before August 28, 2020. Proposals submitted after that date may be considered next year.
ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT WILL BECOME A PUBLIC RECORD, SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND ARTICLE 1, §24 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION. PLEASE NOTE THAT SUBMITTAL OF A PROJECT PROPOSAL DOES NOT CREATE AN AGREEMENT, NOR DOES IT GUARANTEE FUNDING.
Grant Programs
Water Quality Grants
This grant program provides up to a 50% matching grant to local governmental entities for wastewater and stormwater improvements, including septic conversion and remediation.
Rivers and Springs Coast Grants
This grant program provides matching grants to local governmental entities for projects that improve the water quality in the St. Johns, Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers and the Springs Coast of Florida.
Coral Reef Protection and Restoration Grants
This grant program provides grants to local governmental entities and non-state organizations for projects that protect and restore Florida's Coral Reef.
Innovative Technologies Grants
This grant program provides grants to local governmental entities for projects that: evaluate and implement innovate technologies and short-term solutions to combat algal blooms and nutrient enrichment, restore and preserve Florida waterbodies and implement certain water quality treatment technologies.
Nonpoint Source Grants
This grant program provides matching grants to assist local governmental entities with projects to reduce nonpoint source pollution from land use activities.
Coastal Partnership Initiative
This grant program provides funding to Florida's 35 coastal counties and municipalities within their boundaries that are required to include a coastal element in their comprehensive plan. Florida's public colleges, universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs and nonprofit groups may also apply provided that an eligible local government entity agrees to participate as a partner and signs the application.
Florida Resilient Coastline Initiative
This grant program provides matching grants to assist local governmental entities with storm resiliency, sea level rise planning, coastal resilience projects and coral reef health.
Alternative Water Supply Grants
This grant program helps communities plan for and implement conservation, reuse and other alternative water supply (AWS) and water resource development projects.
Springs Grants
This grant program provides matching grants to assist local governmental entities with projects for land acquisition to protect springs and for capital projects that protect the quality and quantity of water that flow from springs.
Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Improvement Grants
This grant program is coordinated by the St. Johns River Water Management District to assist local governmental entities with projects that improve the water quality in the Indian River Lagoon.