Springs Protection and Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)

In 2016, the Florida Legislature identified 30 “Outstanding Florida Springs” that require additional protections to ensure their conservation and restoration for future generations. For impaired springs, these protections are outlined in restoration plans, known as Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs). These plans are focused on reducing nitrogen pollution sources that may impact the water quality of these springs, including onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS, also known as septic systems). They include OSTDS remediation plans, with requirements to install enhanced nutrient-reducing OSTDS (ENR-OSTDS, or “nitrogen-reducing systems”). For more information about BMAPs, please visit Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs).

• Enhanced Nutrient-Reducing Systems Fact Sheet for Existing and New Septic Systems in Springs Basin Management Action Plan Areas

In 2023, House bill (HB) 1379 expanded the areas in which nitrogen-reducing systems are required for new septic systems. For impaired springs, the areas where nitrogen-reducing systems are required for new systems expanded to lots one acre or less and in springs BMAP areas. For more information about these requirements, please visit our HB 1379 website.

Certain springs BMAPs have requirements for existing septic systems to upgrade to ENR-OSTDS. The requirements apply either in the whole BMAP area or only in the Priority Focus Area (PFA). The details for implementation and a map are shown below. See Springs BMAP Upgrade Requirements for Repairs or Modifications of Existing OSTDS (Septic Systems)  for an interactive map that shows existing system requirements. For more information on springs BMAP requirements, see the Enhanced Nutrient-Reducing Systems Fact Sheet for Existing and New Septic Systems in Springs Basin Management Action Plan Areas.

At this time, the following springs BMAPs do not include requirements for existing septic systems to upgrade to ENR-OSTDS : Jackson Blue Spring and Merritts Mill Pond (1), Santa Fe River (11), Suwannee River (10), and Wacissa River and Spring Group (8).

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