Florida’s $112 Million Water Investment: Protecting Every Drop, from Springs to Skyscrapers

We are excited to announce that Florida Water Process Services (FLWPS) has officially acquired Advance Water Technology Corp (AWT), a company with over 20 years of experience in chemical water treatment. This merger marks the beginning of a new era in water treatment, combining two exceptional teams to offer comprehensive, modern, and reliable solutions to clients across Florida. 

How the “Last Mile” Policy and Draft Bill 97304 Safeguard Florida’s Water Future

Florida’s water resources shape the state’s health, economy, and quality of life. From scenic springs and winding rivers to the water flowing through homes, schools, and workplaces, water is at the heart of Florida’s identity and prosperity

Historic Investment in Water Quality and Supply

In December 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a landmark package: over $112 million in grants dedicated to improving water quality and strengthening long-term water supplies. This comprehensive investment includes:

• $50 million for 14 alternative water supply projects
• $50 million for 23 springs restoration projects
• $12 million for 16 innovative technology projects focused on preventing, detecting, cleaning up, or mitigating harmful algal blooms.

These awards are designed not only to protect Florida’s ecosystems but also to ensure a sustainable water future. The alternative water supply projects alone are expected to add more than 94 million gallons of new water supply per day once operational, while springs restoration efforts are projected to reduce Total Nitrogen by over 100,000 pounds annually. Since 2019, Florida’s ongoing investments in these areas have already made measurable progress.

The “Last Mile” Challenge: Water Stewardship in Our Communities

Florida’s environmental progress, however, hinges on what happens after treated water reaches neighborhoods and buildings—the crucial “last mile” of water stewardship.

Large buildings like hospitals, hotels, condominiums, and office towers often rely on cooling towers as part of their air-conditioning systems. These cooling towers can consume significant amounts of water, and without proper monitoring, they risk wasting water through leaks, overflow, or inefficient controls. Additionally, inconsistent maintenance can allow harmful bacteria such as Legionella to proliferate, posing serious health risks like Legionnaires’ disease.

Draft Bill 97304: A Practical Solution for Building-Scale Water Safety

This is where the Water Safety Association of Florida’s Draft Bill 97304 comes into play, aligning with the state’s broader water priorities. While the Governor’s grants focus on regional restoration and supply, Draft Bill 97304 targets building-scale systems, setting consistent statewide standards for cooling towers, certain water storage tanks, and supplemental disinfection systems.

In simple terms, the draft bill would:

• Register covered systems in a statewide electronic database
  
• Require routine monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping
  
• Mandate maintenance planning, independent inspections, and annual certification
  
• Ensure timely notification of health officials if elevated risks are detected
  
• Promote water efficiency in cooling towers via metering and automated controls.

Why This Approach Matters

Draft Bill 97304 supports Florida’s water goals in practical, impactful ways. It safeguards public health in high-risk settings, reduces unnecessary water waste in major building systems, and increases accountability through standardized data and reporting. Florida already has the professional expertise needed to implement such a standard many specialists provide cooling tower water treatment, pathogen testing, system disinfection, water conservation, and inspections statewide.

Stewardship from Source to Tap

Florida’s water future isn’t just about protecting the state’s iconic waterways, it’s also about managing water safely and efficiently where people live, work, learn, and heal. Draft Bill 97304 complements the $112 million investment by extending water stewardship to the “last mile,” ensuring that every drop is protected from natural springs to urban skyscrapers.

The Source: This article was written based on information posted by Ron DeSantis Executive Office of the Governor