Palm Beach County secures $60m for C-51 Reservoir, loses water treatment plant upgrades to governor's veto

Palm Beach County secures $60m for C-51 Reservoir, loses water treatment plant upgrades to governor's vetoA legislative update presented to the Board of County Commissioners revealed significant state funding for regional water management and localized wastewater projects, despite setbacks for core utility treatment facilities.

The state budget allocated $60 million for the C-51 Reservoir in western Palm Beach County.

The Florida governor vetoed state appropriations intended for two county water treatment plants.

Greenacres will receive $500,000 for a septic-to-sewer conversion project.

The Town of Jupiter secured funding for two distinct water quality projects.

The legislature passed HB 1019, a bill addressing PFAS, named posthumously after the late Rep. Joe Casella.

Palm Beach County’s water and wastewater infrastructure projects saw a mix of significant state funding approvals and notable gubernatorial vetoes during the 2026 Florida legislative session, according to an intergovernmental affairs report presented to the Board of County Commissioners on August 25. The county secured a major win in the agriculture and environment budget silo, with the state allocating $60 million for the C-51 Reservoir project located in western Palm Beach County. The reservoir is a critical component of regional water management and alternative water supply efforts. However, the county also faced setbacks on the utility front. According to Alessandro Morgesani, Legislative Director for the county, the governor vetoed state appropriations for upgrades to two water treatment plants. The specific facilities and requested funding amounts for the vetoed plants were not detailed during the presentation. Despite the vetoes, the county successfully brought home funding for localized wastewater and water quality initiatives. The state budget includes $500,000 directed toward a septic-to-sewer conversion project in Greenacres, as well as funding for two distinct water quality projects in the Town of Jupiter. On the regulatory front, the legislative update highlighted the passage of House Bill 1019, legislation addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bill was posthumously named after the late Representative Joe Casella. The water infrastructure funding was part of a broader legislative session for Palm Beach County, which saw its general state appropriations increase by 200% over the previous year, rising from approximately $5 million to over $14 million, exclusive of the major reservoir allocation.