Support
Springs Council
Contact Us
BMAPs
Florida Springs News
Florida is home to one of the largest concentrations of freshwater springs on Earth - more than 1,000 natural springs that feed rivers, support wildlife, and provide drinking water for millions of residents. Yet despite their importance, consistent news coverage of Florida's springs is nearly impossible to find in one place. That's exactly why this page exists.
News Updates
We curate the latest updates, stories from research and our Springs community. We cover water quality concerns, environmental legislation, conservation, closures, algae blooms, aquifer health, and the ongoing fight to protect these irreplaceable ecosystems.
Whether you're a diver, paddler, scientist, concerned citizen, or nature lover, this is your source for staying informed on the issues that matter most to Florida's springs.
What you'll find here:
- Water quality and pollution updates
- State and local legislation affecting Florida's springs and aquifer
- Conservation wins and environmental setbacks
- Community advocacy and grassroots efforts
- Recreational access news — closures, reopenings, and park updates
- Good Florida Springs Fun
- Wildlife updates, including manatee and aquatic habitat news
- Florida Springs News Archive
Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Springs News
What is Florida Springs News?
Florida Springs News is a community-driven news hub dedicated to tracking stories, updates, and developments related to Florida's freshwater springs. We curate content from our active Facebook page and surface it here so anyone can stay informed ? no social media account required.
Who runs this page?
This page is run by a small group of Florida springs advocates. We are not affiliated with any government agency, university, or environmental organization. We are independent voices who care deeply about the health of Florida's springs and want to make it easier for others to stay informed.
Where does the content come from?
The news feed on this page pulls directly from our Facebook page, Florida Springs News, using an embedded social feed. Stories are sourced from local news outlets, environmental organizations, government agencies, and community members who share updates relevant to Florida's springs.
Do you only cover bad news?
Not at all. While many of the most important stories involve threats to Florida's springs ? pollution, development, declining aquifer levels ? we also celebrate conservation wins, successful restoration projects, community efforts, and the natural beauty of these ecosystems.
What are the biggest threats facing Florida's springs right now?
Florida's springs face several ongoing challenges, including excessive groundwater withdrawals that reduce spring flow, nitrogen pollution from agriculture and wastewater that fuels algae growth, and residential and commercial development in spring recharge zones. Legislative and regulatory action ? or inaction ? plays a major role in how these threats are addressed.
How can I help protect Florida's springs?
A great starting point is staying informed ? which is why this page exists. Beyond that, you can contact your state legislators, support organizations like the Florida Springs Institute and the Florida Springs Council, reduce fertilizer use on your lawn, and be a vocal advocate in your community. Visit our resources page for more ways to get involved.
How often is this page updated?
The news feed updates automatically as new posts are shared to our Facebook page. We post regularly, with more frequent updates when major news breaks.
Can I submit a story or tip?
Yes! If you come across a news story, study, or development related to Florida's springs that you think deserves attention, share it on our Facebook page or reach out to us directly. Community members are one of our most valuable sources.
What are the biggest environmental threats to Florida springs right now?
Right now, Florida?s springs face two interconnected threats: too much nitrate and not enough water. Excess nutrients from fertilizer, agriculture, and wastewater fuel algae growth, while heavy groundwater pumping for cities, farms, and industry lowers the Floridan Aquifer, reducing spring flow and making it harder for the system to dilute pollution.
Has there been recent legislation to protect Florida springs?
The most significant recent development was the 2023 First District Court of Appeal ruling forcing the Florida DEP to rewrite its flawed BMAP plans as legally insufficient. Updated plans were released in 2025, but the Florida Springs Council filed new petitions in November 2025 challenging the Suwannee and Wekiwa BMAPs as still failing to meet statutory requirements for agricultural pollution reduction.
Are any Florida springs currently closed due to algae blooms?
Algae blooms driven by elevated nitrate levels periodically force closures or advisories at some springs, particularly in the Suwannee River basin. Additionally, Blue Spring State Park's spring run is closed to all water activities (swimming, snorkeling, tubing, kayaking) from November 21 through the end of manatee season to protect the resident manatee population. Always check the Florida State Parks website or specific managing authority before visiting.
What is being done to reduce nitrate pollution in Florida springs?
Multiple parallel efforts are underway: the BMAP process mandates specific nitrate reductions from agriculture, utilities, and septic owners. The FSC pursues legal challenges to force stronger enforcement. The Slime Stoppers campaign promotes voluntary fertilizer reduction. State funding has been directed toward upgrading wastewater treatment plants and converting conventional septic systems to nitrogen-reducing units in BMAP priority areas.
Are Florida springs water flow levels recovering?
Generally, no. While targeted restoration projects have helped some specific springs, population growth continues to increase demand on the Floridan Aquifer and climate variability is affecting recharge rates. The Florida Springs Council, Florida Springs Institute, and water management districts continue to monitor flow and advocate for stricter consumptive use permitting limits to reverse the trend.
What recent conservation wins have happened for Florida springs?
Notable wins include: the landmark 2023 court ruling forcing DEP to rewrite flawed BMAPs; continued legal pressure on the Nestle/BlueTriton bottling permit at Ginnie Springs; the FWS's 2024 proposal to designate 1.9 million acres of critical habitat for Florida manatees; growing FSC membership and public awareness; and ongoing advocacy to remove the Rodman Dam on the Ocklawaha River, which would restore more than 20 currently submerged springs.
Where can I find official water quality updates for Florida springs?
The Florida DEP publishes water quality data for Outstanding Florida Springs through the Springs Water Quality Dashboard at protectingfloridatogether.gov. The Florida Springs Council publishes advocacy-focused updates at floridaspringscouncil.org. The Florida Springs Institute publishes peer-reviewed scientific research on spring ecology and water quality. Our Florida Springs News section aggregates the most important updates from all these sources.
Which springs have improved the most in recent water quality reports?
Whether any particular spring is truly ?improving? depends on how you read the data. DEP highlights targeted projects and localized nitrate declines at some sites, while springs advocates point to broader trends showing that many Outstanding Florida Springs still have nitrogen levels above their targets and that long?term recovery requires several consecutive years of sustained improvement before anyone can fairly call a spring 'on the mend.'
Affiliate Products
If you are going to buy it anyway, help support us at Florida Spring Life