24 groups sign letter objecting to draft springs legislation

Several agricultural, business, cities and utility groups are raising concerns with draft springs legislation in the Senate, arguing that Florida has the regulatory tools it needs to improve water quality.

Springs across the state have become choked with weeds and algae, fed by nitrogen seeping into groundwater. Sources of nitrogen include sewage plants, septic tanks, farms, fertilizer and dirty stormwater runoff.

A group of five Senate committee chairmen agreed last month to support filing a bill that would provide nearly $380 million a year to remove or improve septic tanks to protect springs and groundwater.

The Jan. 10 version of the draft bill would require homes near springs with excess nitrogen to connect to a central sewer system or use advanced septic tanks. The bill says improvements will be made without cost to property owners.