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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).

    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.

    Springs BMAPs:  Existing System Requirements

    Springs BMAP

    Where BMAPs require existing systems to be upgraded to nitrogen reducing systems

     Date requirements will become effective

    Contact for funding information

    *NEW* Wakulla River and Spring All lot sizes/in the PFA TENTATIVE: May 1, 2024

    Leon County Septic Upgrade Program

    Wakulla County Septic Upgrade Program

    *NEW* DeLeon Springs

    Lots less than one acre/in the Priority Focus Area

    January 31, 2024

    Volusia County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program

    Weeki Wachee

    All lot sizes/in the Priority Focus Area

    To be determined

    Hernando County Septic Upgrade Program

    Homosassa and Chassahowitzka Springs

    All lot sizes/in the Priority Focus Area

    To be determined

    Citrus County Septic Upgrade Program

    Crystal River/Kings Bay

    All lot sizes/in the Priority Focus Area

    To be determined

    Citrus County Septic Upgrade Program

    Wekiwa Spring and Rock Springs

    Lots less than one acre/in the Priority Focus Area

    To be determined

    Orange County Septic Tank Incentive Program

    Silver/Rainbow

    All lot sizes/in the BMAP area

    To be determined

    To be determined

    Gemini Spring

    Lots less than one acre/in the Priority Focus Area

    To be determined

    To be determined

    Volusia Blue Spring

    Lots less than one acre/in the Priority Focus Area

    To be determined

    To be determined

    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).

    OSTDS Remediation Plan Static Map

    Last Modified:
    March 26, 2024 - 9:12am

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