Fiscal Year 2026 cost-share program
The mission of the St. Johns River Water Management District (District) is “to protect our natural resources and support Florida’s growth by ensuring the sustainable use of Florida’s water for the benefit of the people of the District and the state.” The District works closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), our local government, private sector, and agricultural business partners to execute projects that benefit the water resources upon which the citizens of the District depend. The cost-share program has allowed the District to forge strong relationships with its partners and harness our collective knowledge, expertise and resources to address shared water resource concerns in our communities. The goal of the program is to assist our partners with funding of projects that provide water supply benefits and those that benefit springs flows and water quality.
FY 2026 cost-share program
The St. Johns River Water Management District will be accepting applications on behalf of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for funding for alternative water supply, water conservation, and projects that benefit springs within the District’s 18-county service area. Applications will be accepted from Dec. 13, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2025, 5 p.m. The District will be providing the list of reviewed, ranked, and Governing Board approved applicants to the FDEP for funding consideration by May 31, 2025.
Applications for the FY 2026 Cost-Share program should be submitted via the District’s online application system. Please click the “Online Application System” link to the right to prepare and submit your application.
FY 2026 application schedule
| Action date | Event |
| Dec. 13, 2024 | FY 2026 application period opens. |
| Jan. 31, 2025 | Application portal closed – all applications due by 5 p.m. |
| Feb. 3, 2025–May 5, 2025 | Internal application review process. |
| May 13, 2025 | Governing Board consideration for approval of ranked lists for FDEP funding consideration under the Springs Restoration and Alternate Water Supply programs. |
| May 22, 2025 | Ranked list submitted to FDEP for consideration and evaluation. |
Project types
Alternative water supply
Eligible projects for consideration are construction-ready and provide an alternative water supply (AWS) benefit within the District. The funding priority is for regional projects in the areas of greatest need and those that provide the greatest benefit to the protection of Florida’s natural systems. The District and FDEP will consider the following factors in the selection of AWS projects:
- Projects that provide regional benefits.
- Projects that benefit water bodies with adopted Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs), particularly those that are in recovery or prevention.
- Projects that provide dual benefits to water supply and water quality.
- Projects with complementary efforts, such as AWS projects that also provide flood protection, or recreational benefits.
- Cost-effectiveness.
- The return on investment, i.e., the amount of funding the state grant will leverage by local cooperators, while recognizing the funding limitations of REDI or other economically disadvantaged communities.
Water conservation
Water conservation is the prevention and/or the reduction of water use to improve efficiency of use and to avoid using water when not needed for the intended purpose. Examples of eligible projects include:
- Residential water conservation projects, such as the replacement of older, less-efficient plumbing fixtures and devices with newer higher-efficiency models, or improved landscape irrigation system efficiency.
- Recreational / aesthetic water use projects that focus on improving the efficiency of irrigation systems or replacing systems.
- Commercial / Industrial / Institutional projects vary from manufacturing and cooling processes to typical indoor and outdoor conservation (plumbing and irrigation).
Springs enhancement, restoration, and/or protection
Qualifying projects include water quality improvement, water supply, water conservation, and natural systems projects that provide a measurable benefit to springs within the District.
The District and the FDEP will consider the following factors in the selection of springs projects:
- Nutrient reductions to improve water quality
- Measurable quantity (flow) improvements
- Applicant’s match commitment
- Readiness to proceed in a timely manner
- Proximity to a priority focus area (PFA) or spring(s)
- Cost-effectiveness
- Whether the project is part of a restoration, prevention, or recovery plan (i.e., BMAP, RAP, or MFL Recovery or Prevention Strategy)
- Whether the project is part of a multi-year program or (phased) project implementation plan
Eligible projects can include:
- Water quality projects, including:
- Those that treat stormwater runoff where no treatment currently exists
- In-lake or in-stream water quality improvements through implementation of best management practices
- Improvement of the treatment efficiency of an existing wastewater facility/system
- Septic-to-sewer
- Natural systems projects
- Projects benefitting MFL waterbodies
Contacts
Lou Donnangelo
Phone: 904-448-7930
Email: ldonnangelo@sjrwmd.com
For additional information concerning projects that benefit Outstanding Florida Springs restoration or Alternative Water Supply, please contact Nitesh Tripathi.
Nitesh Tripathi
Phone: 386-312-2359
Email: ntripathi@sjrwmd.com