From the sky, Florida’s freshwater springs look like hidden gems—clear, cool, and inviting for people and animals alike. The state has more than 1,000 natural springs, more than any other in the country, providing a beach-like escape for many who live far from the ocean. Teens dive off docks, snorkelers explore the waters, and families enjoy the natural beauty. But these springs are in trouble.
The springs face serious threats from farming pollution, fast-growing development, and climate change. In Zephyrhills, a town in west-central Florida known for its Crystal Springs—home to several bottled water brands—officials have paused new construction to limit how much water they pull from the massive underground Floridan Aquifer. This aquifer is huge, covering about 100,000 square miles and supplying 90% of Florida’s drinking water.
Most of the 30 biggest springs, called “first magnitude” springs because they release at least 65 million gallons of water daily, are polluted. Agriculture is a major source of trouble, as fertilizer runoff leads to algae blooms that choke the springs and harm underwater plants like seagrasses. These underwater plants act like forests for the water, supporting many creatures. Without them, the springs lose life and even the quality of drinking water is at risk.
On top of that, fast-growing cities bring more pavement, roads, and lawns, which block rainwater from soaking into the ground. That means less water replenishes the aquifer. It also causes more pollution to wash into the springs from fertilizers, parking lots, and septic tanks. Popular springs in parks can get so crowded on summer days that entry is stopped by mid-morning. At Ichetucknee Springs State Park near Gainesville, the 750-person daily limit for tubing is often reached within an hour of opening.
Some springs have suffered from phosphate mining, which uses huge amounts of water and reduces pressure needed to keep the springs flowing. An example is White Sulphur Springs in north Florida, once a sacred place for Native Americans and a popular resort with visitors like Henry Ford and Theodore Roosevelt. This spring has almost dried up.
Climate change adds another layer of trouble. Changes in rainfall patterns affect how much water feeds into the springs. Coastal springs face saltwater intrusion due to rising sea levels, making the water saltier and harming freshwater plants. This shifts the ecosystem and threatens the life supported by the springs.
Florida spends billions on water projects, including about $50 million yearly for springs. But efforts to strengthen rules around water use and limit harmful nutrients tied up in courts and political fights. Former legislator Dennis Jones says powerful agricultural interests have stalled progress on reducing nitrates for nearly a decade, leaving springs with more pollution than before.
In response, U.S. Rep. Randy Fine recently proposed creating a Florida Springs National Park near Ocala National Forest. The park would protect springs and bring in more funding, he said, highlighting that these natural features are special not just to Florida but the entire country.
Water bottling companies pay a small fee—just $115—for permits to withdraw millions of gallons of water, though they do contribute to local taxes. In Zephyrhills, Blue Triton, the company behind the bottled water brand, pays around $600,000 annually toward community services like schools and safety.
Despite these challenges, many people love the springs and work to protect them. Michelle Jamesson, who grew up swimming in one, volunteers with SpringsWatch Citizen Science Program. She helps test water quality regularly and watches for changes in plant life and wildlife. The Wekiva River area she monitors is still relatively stable but carries excess nutrients. To Jamesson, the springs are full of life and worth fighting for.
Florida’s springs are fragile treasures facing many threats. But with attention and care, there is hope they will remain places where people and nature can enjoy their clear, cool waters for generations to come.