Volusia Blue Spring Water Quality
Blue Spring: A Valuable Water Resource
Blue Spring is a first magnitude spring in Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. Blue Spring is in west central Volusia County and is one of more than 1,000 springs throughout Florida, one of 30 Outstanding Florida Springs established in 2016 by the Florida Legislature, and one of 3 Outstanding Florida Springs in Volusia County. The Legislature notes that, "Outstanding Florida Springs" are a unique part of the state's scenic beauty, provide critical habitat and have immeasurable natural, recreational, economic and inherent value. Blue Spring is a federally designated critical habitat for manatees, identified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as an important spring used by manatees in the winter. A part of the St. Johns River system, Blue Spring is a popular destination for walking, cycling, tubing, and ecotourism; thus, maintenance and protection of the spring are high priorities for the surrounding municipalities, Volusia County, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
Blue Spring Basin Area Requirements
In 2016, the Florida Legislature identified Blue Spring as an impaired first magnitude “Outstanding Florida Spring” that requires additional protections to ensure conservation and restoration for future generations. To achieve the water quality restoration targets established in the TMDL, the Blue Spring Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) was developed by the FDEP and contains enforceable sets of projects and management practices to reduce nitrogen pollution that is impacting the Spring. The FDEP has determined that septic tanks are a major source of nitrogen pollution in Blue Spring and, as a result, has implemented a septic system remediation plan as part of the Blue Spring BMAP. The law requires specific actions regarding both existing and new septic systems located near Blue Spring within the area known as the Priority Focus Area (PFA).
- Blue Spring Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
- Blue Spring Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP)
- FDEP Interactive Map showing PFA areas
- Minimum Flows and Levels [PDF from SJRWMD site]
