PHOTO VIA WEKIVA ISLAND FACEBOOK PAGE
The Florida Springs Council (Website) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection reached a settlement agreement on September 1 that prohibits new conventional septic systems in the Wekiwa and Rock Springs basin, following nine months of litigation between the two parties.
The agreement, which the council is calling a major legal victory, covers Wekiwa and Rock Springs along with seven additional springs on the Suwannee River, and it addresses the two largest sources of nitrogen pollution affecting Florida’s springs statewide: agricultural runoff in the Suwannee basin and septic tank pollution in the Wekiva basin, where septic systems account for more than 52 percent of pollution reaching the springs, according to the Florida Springs Council.
Under the settlement, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to prohibit new conventional septic systems on lots of 10 acres or less within the Wekiva basin and require existing septic systems on lots that size to upgrade to advanced systems or connect to central sewer by 2030. The agreement also improves current Basin Management Action Plans, adds at least 16 new water quality monitoring stations, and requires the department to begin compliance assistance and enforcement actions against entities that fail to meet pollution reduction targets.
According to reporting by Amy Green for Inside Climate News, the settlement builds on a 2023 ruling from Florida’s First District Court of Appeal that invalidated several springs cleanup plans, prompting the state to adopt revised plans the following year. The Florida Springs Council filed administrative challenges to those revised plans in 2025, arguing they failed to meet legislative requirements, with Friends of the Wekiva River joining the challenge specific to the Wekiwa and Rock springshed.
The settlement arrives as the Florida Springs Council marks its 10th anniversary this year. The organization is inviting the public to celebrate both milestones at its Riverside Revelry event on October 17, held at Wekiva Island from 6 to 10 p.m. Wekiva Island is closing early that evening to host the private celebration along the Wekiva River. Tickets purchased in advance include a buffet from Without a Paddle Cafe & Catering, drinks from the Tooting Otter bar, live music, talks from local conservation figures, a raffle and silent auction featuring adventure and art packages, riverside games and photo opps.
Tickets and more information for the Riverside Revelry are available HERE.
