Florida’s springs are world famous for their clarity and size, pouring millions of gallons of gin-clear water into rivers.

But they are threatened by nutritional pollution, and that they become hungry for drinking water from companies such as e.g. Crawl in and Zephyr Hills.

The non-profit organization Florida Springs Council is sue the state Department of Environmental Protection. They say the department has failed to enforce state laws since 2016 to define what is considered harmful to waterways.

The 2016 state law requires regulations — but the DEP has failed to act.

Council executive director Ryan Smart says adopting rules would set limits on how much water companies can withdraw from springs, which could affect the health of rivers downstream.

“And I think that would move water to the highest value sources,” Smart said. “We’re still at a point now where we’re issuing permits for a million liters a day to water bottling companies and spring systems that are already suffering significant damage.”

Rachael Curran is a lawyer at Jacob’s Clinic for the Public Interest for Democracy and the Environment, based at Stetson University in Gulfport. She works with the council on their trial.

“After eight years, we still don’t even have a proposed rule. We only have these draft rules, which, left in draft form, are meaningless and irresistible,” she said. “So that leaves us here with this complaint that we have filed.”

Many springs have turned green, as nutrients flow underground into springs from septic tanks and agricultural runoff.

The lawsuit was filed in Hernando County, because it is home to world-class sources like Weeki Wachee and Chassahowitzka.

Steve Newborn

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WUSF Public Media

The council says 80% of outstanding Florida Springs – granted special protection by the Florida Legislature – are degraded by excessive nutrient pollution – reducing the value of these natural wonders to nature and visitors alike. Many of these sources also suffer “significant damage” due to overpumping from power plants, intensive agriculture and commercial industry.

The state law passed in 2016 states in part:

“For outstanding Florida Springs, the Department shall:

• Adopt uniform rules for issuing permits that prevent withdrawal of groundwater that is harmful to water resources.

The Department of Environmental Protection has 20 days to respond to the lawsuit. State environmental officials said they would not comment on pending lawsuits.

Steve Newborn

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WUSF Public Media

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