LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — The push to improve water quality at Wakulla Springs continues flowing.
Leon County commissioners approved a state grant last week to replace septic tanks for homes in south Leon county neighborhoods.
"Wakulla Springs is really getting a wonderful gift, a load of pollution being lifted from it's shoulders and the septic tanks in our area will all be improved," said Sean McGlynn.
Good for neighbors and the environment. The Springs Restoration Grant aims to cut off pollutants flowing into Wakulla Springs by replacing old septic tanks.
And neighbors are on board.
"What's polluting Wakulla Springs is septic tanks. So we're changing septic tanks and we're very thankful for the D.E.P to give the county a grant to do this and get it started," said McGlynn.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is giving Leon County 1.5 million dollars to reduce the amount of nitrogen flowing into nearby Springs through this program.
"Our goal is to reach at least 150 homes with our 1.5 million within the priority focus area, which is the southeast part of Leon County, basically between Capital Circle and Woodville and over to Crawdfordville Highway," said Theresa Heiker, Leon County storm water management coordinator
An environmentally sensitive area the D.E.P has identified.
"If you don't have a good treatment system that gets into the environment. And on our karst plain it goes right into the aquifer and that goes right into Wakulla Springs faster than you can walk," said McGlynn.
To participate in the program, you'll agree to work with the county allowing them to replace your system and continue checking up on it over the years to make sure everything is running properly.
"That gives you a full 30 year lifetime of a drainfield. So if you're experiencing failures of your septic system this is a perfect opportunity to get a no-cost repair," said Heiker.
Taking care of your home and the planet at the same time.
This program is just hitting the ground running, so you can't even apply on the Leon County website yet.
However, within the next few weeks you'll be able to apply to participate in this septic upgrade program.
Again, it's for those who live in the "focus" area of southern Leon County.
