TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Leon County will get $4.5 million in state money to bring central sewer lines to more of Woodville, south of Tallahassee, and to help homeowners trade old septic tanks for cleaner systems, two steps aimed at cutting the nitrogen that reaches Wakulla Springs.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the awards Wednesday through the Springs Restoration Grant Program run by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Statewide, the round sent $50 million to 23 projects.
The biggest piece for Leon County, $3.5 million, goes to the second phase of the Woodville Sewer System Project. That phase will reach more than 350 properties inside the protection zone around the springs, with lines planned for Natural Bridge Road, Oak Ridge Road East and neighborhoods east and west of Woodville Highway. The county plans to cover its share with local sales tax dollars set aside for water quality.
The full Woodville effort has four phases, an estimated price tag near $110 million and a goal of serving roughly 1,000 properties. The first phase wrapped up in December 2025 and serves 175 of them. Design work on phase two is done, a final easement deal is expected by January 2027, and the county hopes to seek construction bids by summer 2027, with work starting late that year.
The other $1 million feeds the county septic upgrade program, which pays eligible owners in the zone up to $7,500 to switch to systems that remove nitrogen. Paid for wholly with state grants, the program has already replaced 300 systems and expects to replace 133 more.
Commission Chairman Christian Caban said the money will help improve water quality in Woodville and protect the springs for years to come. County Administrator Vincent S. Long said it also gives more homeowners real help with the cost.
Filed under: Tallahassee FL Neighborhood News
