Springs Protection and Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)

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The “Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act”, passed during the 2016 legislative session, directed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop restoration plans, known as Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs). Under these plans, new septic systems on lots of less than one acre permitted in some sensitive springs areas (Priority Focus Areas, or PFAs) are required to be nitrogen-reducing. New conventional systems are no longer permitted in these areas except when a sewer will be available within five years. For more information about BMAPs, go to DEP’s Meeting the Requirements of the Springs and Aquafer Protection Act webpage. .(opens in new window)

What Florida Department of Health (DOH)-approved nitrogen-reducing onsite sewage systems exist? 

Nitrogen-reducing options include in-ground nitrogen-reducing biofilters (INRBs), nitrogen-reducing (NSF 245-certified) aerobic treatment units, and nitrogen-reducing Performance-Based Treatment Systems.  See an overview of nitrogen-reducing systems that can used for Springs Protection and links to Florida-approved systems - pdf<1mb, opens in new window

Links for more information 

Learn more about DEP’s Septic Upgrade Incentive Program - opens in new window, a program to provide financial incentives for homeowners to upgrade their existing conventional onsite sewage systems to nitrogen-reducing septic systems in certain areas.

*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Adobe Reader may be required to view these files.