A 'watershed moment': New water and sewer lines come to DeLeon Springs

DELEON SPRINGS - Residents of this small community on Friday celebrated the completion of an $11.25 million water and wastewater project that they hope will kick start economic development and protect the spring for which the area is named.

The project's completion marks the culmination of years of hard work and means residents and business owners will have an alternative to wells and septic tanks.

The new drinking water and wastewater disposal lines stretch along three miles of U.S. 17 and connect the city of DeLand's water and sewer system with Louise S. McInnis Elementary, where elected officials and others gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning.

"If you come from a city maybe it doesn't seem like such a big deal but out here in an unincorporated area where we're all on wells and septic systems, this is truly ― and I keep saying a watershed moment because it is. Watershed means you go in a new direction, and that is what today means to us," said Amy Munizzi, president of the DeLeon Springs Community Association.

Students decorated in anticipation for the event, lining a walkway with faucet-shaped cutouts adorned with blue tinsel to mimic flowing water. The room set aside for the ribbon cutting was partly covered in blue tinsel, cutouts of water droplets and student artwork inspired by the project.

Munizzi was one of the driving forces behind the effort. She and officials from Volusia County Schools, county government and other agencies spoke at the ceremony.

The water and wastewater infrastructure will allow businesses a much less expensive option for accessing utilities, she said. Also, it is intended to encourage people to give up septic tanks ― officials expect that will reduce nitrogen levels in the spring by cutting down on wastewater going into the groundwater.

For the school, it means a more reliable source of clean water for students than well water and onsite wastewater treatment.

RJ Lundy, 10, part of the safety patrol at the school, took a few minutes to share his thoughts on water quality with the media. He said he was glad to see the project come to fruition.

"We need it to happen," he said, adding that Earth's potable water supplies are limited.

Reducing septic tank use in DeLeon Springs

DeLeon Springs State Park is a major tourist attraction. The spring produces millions of gallons of water a day and connects to lakes, creeks and eventually the St. Johns River.

The Florida Legislature designated DeLeon Springs as one of 30 Outstanding Florida Springs, which entitles them to greater protection, according to Volusia County.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection developed a basin management action plan for the area and provided a grant to Volusia County to address high levels of nitrogen found in the spring, according to the county.

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Jones Edmunds & Associates led the design, and Wharton-Smith led the construction of the project. The funds come from the FDEP, Volusia County, Volusia County Schools and the city of DeLand, county Utilities Director Mike Ulrich said.

The St. Johns River Water Management District also helped with the project.

Munizzi said she worked on the project more than a decade ago and couldn't make it happen. She said Ulrich brought it all together, and she presented a plaque to him at the event.

"He is the hero of this, not me," she said.

Ulrich, who expressed his gratitude but said utility directors usually prefer to stay in the background, said the project is just one part of protecting the spring.

"Our work is far from done. We need to preserve it for the future," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeLeon Springs celebrates completion of new water and sewer lines