Water-Related News

DEP Awards More Than $26.6 Million for Charlotte Harbor Water Quality Initiative Projects

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently awarded an additional $26.6 million in low-interest loans to Charlotte County to improve wastewater infrastructure and utility services, totaling more than $60.2 million in loans to date to fund Charlotte Harbor Water Quality Initiative projects. Funding is provided through the state's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan program.

"Helping to restore and protect Florida's waterways is a priority, and we are pleased to provide funding for projects that will benefit Charlotte Harbor, Florida's second largest, natural open-water estuary," said Drew Bartlett, DEP deputy secretary for ecosystems restoration.

The Charlotte Harbor Water Quality Initiative is a partnership between local and state agencies to work towards implementing projects to improve water quality within the Lower Charlotte Harbor basin, primarily through septic-to sewer conversions, wastewater infrastructure and stormwater improvements. These types of projects reduce nutrient and bacterial pollution, which protect estuarine ecosystems and maintain the health and safety of residents.