Citrus County secures $4.3m FDEP grant boost for Homosassa septic-to-sewer conversion

Citrus County secures $4.3m FDEP grant boost for Homosassa septic-to-sewer conversionThe Florida county is extending its regional wastewater collection system to curb nutrient loading in local springsheds, aided by a newly amended state grant that pushes total project funding to $8.8 million.

The Board of County Commissioners approved a third amendment to its grant agreement with the FDEP, adding $4,332,577 for the Old Homosassa East Septic to Sewer Project.

The project will connect up to 200 existing residences and 226 vacant lots to the central wastewater system to reduce nutrient pollution.

The amendment extends the contract period to September 30, 2029, and establishes a construction budget of $8.3 million.

The Board also adopted a $1.26 million EPA grant budget for the related Old Homosassa Phase V sewer project.

Citrus County, Florida, is advancing a critical wastewater infrastructure initiative aimed at reducing nutrient pollution in the Homosassa River, following the approval of a major grant amendment on July 14, 2026. The Board of County Commissioners authorized a third amendment to its agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), injecting an additional $4,332,577 into the Old Homosassa East Septic to Sewer Project. The newly approved funds bring the total state contribution for the project to $8,832,577, with no matching funds or local contribution required from the county. The Homosassa River is currently designated as an impaired water body by the state due to elevated nutrient levels. To address the environmental degradation within the Homosassa-Chassahowitzka springshed, the county's Department of Water Resources has prioritized the phase-out of commercial and residential onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS). The Old Homosassa East project involves the design and construction of a regional wastewater collection system extension in the downtown area. According to project documents, the expansion will enable the connection of up to 200 existing residential homes currently utilizing septic tanks, along with approximately 226 vacant lots situated along the river. Once the sewer lines are available, property owners will be mandated by state statute to connect to the central system within 365 days of notification and abandon their existing septic tanks. The amended FDEP agreement officially extends the project's contract expiration date to September 30, 2029, providing the county with additional time to execute the expanded scope. The revised grant work plan allocates $499,590 for preconstruction activities, $13,050 for bidding and contractor selection, and $8,319,937 for physical construction. In a concurrent move to support the region's utility expansion, the Board also enacted a budget resolution formally adopting a separate $1.26 million US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant designated for the Old Homosassa Phase V sewer project.