Get Ready for the Florida Wastewater Grant Program

This article is a condensed version of exclusive content available to Wade Trim clients. For more extensive analysis,?contact Wayne Hofmann.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) provides grants through a new program created in 2021 for wastewater projects that reduce excess nutrient pollution within a basin management action plan or alternative restoration plan. The Florida Wastewater Grant Program requires at least a 50% match for projects to construct, upgrade or expand wastewater facilities to provide advanced wastewater treatment and connecting septic tanks to sewer systems are prioritized.

Project priorities are listed below, in order:?

1. Connection of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems to existing infrastructure (septic-to-sewer).
2. Expansion of a collection or transmission system that promotes efficiency by planning the installation of wastewater transmission facilities to be constructed concurrently with other construction projects occurring within or along a transportation facility right-of-way.
3. All other connections of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems to wastewater treatment facilities.

Project proposals will need to be submitted via DEP’s Protecting Florida Together Water Protection Grants online portal. It is expected that this program will open for new project proposals mid-year 2022. $125 million has been appropriated for the program in FY 2022-2023 as part of the Florida Budget. A listing of grant recipients from 2021 can be found at this link.?

Wayne Hofmann is Client Funding Director for?Wade Trim, where he leads?FundingScout, a corporate initiative focused on helping staff members and clients develop successful funding strategies.