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 the 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 the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) webpage.
Nitrogen-reducing Requirements for New Systems
In 2023, the legislature passed House bill (HB) 1379 (Chapter 2023-169, Laws of Florida). This law expanded the areas in which nitrogen-reducing systems are required for new septic systems. For impaired springs, the areas wherein 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 the Permitting of ENR-OSTDS webpage.
Nitrogen-reducing Requirements for Existing Systems
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.
| Springs BMAP | Where BMAPs require existing systems to be upgraded to nitrogen reducing systems | Contact for funding information |
| Crystal River/Kings Bay | All lot sizes/in the Priority Focus Area | Citrus County Septic Upgrade Program |
| DeLeon Springs | Lots one acre or less/in the Priority Focus Area | Volusia County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program |
| Gemini Spring | Lots one acre or less/in the Priority Focus Area | No funding available. |
| Homosassa and Chassahowitzka Springs | All lot sizes/in the Priority Focus Area | Citrus County Septic Upgrade Program |
| Volusia Blue Spring | Lots one acre or less/in the Priority Focus Area | No funding available. |
| Wakulla River and Spring | All lot sizes/in the Priority Focus Area | |
| Weeki Wachee | All lot sizes/in the Priority Focus Area | Hernando County Septic Upgrade Program |
| Wekiwa Spring and Rock Springs | Lots less than one acre/in the Priority Focus Area | Orange County Septic Tank Incentive Program |
The following springs BMAPs do not currently include requirements for existing septic systems to upgrade to ENR-OSTDS: Jackson Blue Spring and Merritts Mill Pond (1), Wacissa River and Spring Group (8), Suwannee River (10), Santa Fe River (11), Rainbow Springs and Rainbow River (12) and Silver Springs (13).
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