In the state of Florida, 30 natural springs have been given the title of “Outstanding Spring.” Springs are natural vents that release groundwater from aquifers to the earth’s surface.
These freshwater sources are heavily entwined in the state’s culture, tourism, and economy. However, the 2016 Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act—intended to protect the Florida Springs from extensive pumping and ecosystem disruption—has yet to be properly enforced.
The implementation of this policy is key to the survival of Florida’s greatest environmental asset. Florida houses more first magnitude springs than any other state—discharging 65 million gallons of water a day. These freshwater springs provide nearly 90 percent of drinking water to Floridians.
In addition to drinking water, aquifer pumping is used for non-necessities like watering golf courses and lawns.
There are at least 700 first and second-magnitude springs in Florida, one of the largest concentrations of springs on the planet. Of the 67 counties in the state, 39 contain a spring. However, the overpumping of the Florida Aquifer that supplies groundwater has led to the decline of spring flows. Excessive chemicals, mainly nitrates, have entered the water streams from state agricultural practices, leading to habitat destruction and an overabundance of algae.
Some of the protections enacted after the 2016 law, known as Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), began in 2018 and focus on reducing pollution and improving water quality, but little has been done to control aquifer pumping.
Conservationist Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, known for her advocacy in the Everglades, and namesake of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s headquarters, called Florida’s springs “bowls of liquid light.” Ecologist Archie Carr referred to them as the “singular blessing of the Florida landscape.” Their importance to the state’s ecosystem is comparable to the Everglades.
Additionally, the springs hold economic value. Tourists spend millions of dollars annually at spring-based attractions. In 2024, Florida State Parks and Trails contributed $3.8 billion direct economic impact on local economies throughout the state. Wakulla Springs State Park alone contributes $20 million annually in economic revenue for the state.
Due to the springs’ economic and ecological impacts, Florida residents are eager to see reforms in pumping legislation. In September of 2024, a group of citizens rallied in Central Florida to support drafting new rules to protect Outstanding Florida Springs. The rally was held before the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) workshop regarding the 2016 law.
Most springs are not showing the signs of progress needed to fulfill the regulations outlined in the BMAPs. The remaining issue does not seem to be the water quality but the water quantity. With overpumping, the Florida Aquifer has been shrinking in size and water flow. Less flow also leads to higher concentrations of pollutants. National Geographic found that between 1950 and 2010, spring flows decreased by 32 percent. Nearly 70 percent of the spring samples taken by a research team at the University of Florida contained PFAS, dangerous forever chemicals that are nearly impossible to remove.
The result of the September meeting was not favorable for the protestors. The FDEP introduced an insufficient draft rule for the third time. The draft rule in question did not protect everything outlined in the 2016 mandate. In almost a decade, the FDEP has not succeeded in proposing rules that fulfill the law, and continue to exacerbate the conditions of the Outstanding Florida Springs by allowing harmful pumping practices and ignoring ongoing pollution. Despite rapid deterioration of the springs, the FDEP continues to reinstate permits that allow overpumping.
The 2016 law emphasized “urgent” action and conveyed a significant need for reforms, providing a 2017 deadline for effective rules. However, the FDEP continues to extend this benchmark at each yearly meeting.
On January 6th, another meeting was held to propose rules that continue to allow pumping and permitting that violate the 2016 Act. Members of the Florida Springs Council challenged these rulings stating that they still do not adhere to the 2016 law. The Division of Administrative Hearings received this challenge in mid-January, which was followed by a January 29th and February 12th hearing.
Neither hearing yielded the positive results that the Florida Springs Council advocated for and the topic continues to be debated until the FDEP can decide on rules that adhere to the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act.
Sources:
Ask IFAS – Powered by EDIS. (n.d.). FE959/FE959: Economic value of the services provided by Florida Springs and other water bodies: A summary of existing studies. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE959
Duerig, M. (2024, September 13). Dozens rally in support of Florida freshwater springs. Central Florida Public Media. https://www.cfpublic.org/environment/2024-09-13/dozens-rally-support-florida-freshwater-springs
The Florida Senate. Chapter 373 Section 219 – 2020 Florida Statutes – The Florida Senate. (n.d.). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2020/0373.219
Florida Springs Protection – Floridajobs.org. (n.d.). https://floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/programs/community-planning-table-of-contents/springs-protection
Heggie, J. (2020, July 29). The Floridan Aquifer: Why One of our rainiest states is worried about water. Science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/partner-content-worried-about-water-floridan-aquifer
Map shows state of “forever chemicals” in Florida water. UF Health. (n.d.). https://ufhealth.org/news/2025/new-research-map-shows-levels-of-forever-chemicals-in-floridas-water
Moore, T. (n.d.). Florida sees record-breaking tourism in 2024 | wtsp.com. https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/florida-breaks-tourism-record-third-quarter-2024/67-a71c9eba-6991-4a46-a6d4-7ed85dc7b995
Pittman, C. (2024, September 26). DeSantis ignores law requiring new rules to protect Florida Springs • Florida Phoenix. Florida Phoenix. https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/09/26/desantis-ignores-law-requiring-new-rules-to-protect-florida-springs/
Record broken again: Florida announces the highest tourism numbers in state history in 2024. RECORD BROKEN AGAIN: Florida Announces the Highest Tourism Numbers in State History in 2024 | Executive Office of the Governor. (n.d.). https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2025/record-broken-again-florida-announces-highest-tourism-numbers-state-history-2024
Saunders, J. (2025, January 21). Advocates worry “outstanding florida springs” could be hurt by proposed law. Gainesville Sun. https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/environment/2025/01/21/advocates-worry-outstanding-florida-springs-could-be-harmed-by-law/77847741007/Springs. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (n.d.). https://floridadep.gov/springs