Governor Ron DeSantis breaks ground on new EAA Reservoir inflow pump station and highlights Everglades restoration achievements
Palm Beach County, Florida – In a significant step forward for Florida’s environmental and water management initiatives, Governor Ron DeSantis attended a groundbreaking ceremony today for a new inflow pump station at the critical Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project. The project, located south of Lake Okeechobee, is a cornerstone of ongoing efforts to restore the Everglades, enhance water quality, and provide lasting benefits to both communities and ecosystems across South Florida.
The EAA Reservoir is poised to become one of the largest water storage projects in the state, with a capacity exceeding 78 billion gallons—enough to fill an area larger than Manhattan. Once operational, the reservoir will deliver up to 470 billion gallons of clean water each year to the Everglades and Florida Bay. Additionally, it will play a vital role in supporting the Biscayne Aquifer, which serves as South Florida’s primary source of drinking water.
“Florida reached a historic agreement with the Trump Administration earlier this year to expedite and advance Everglades restoration,” said Governor DeSantis. “Today, I was pleased to announce a milestone in Everglades restoration made possible by our cooperation with the federal government. Florida is now breaking ground on the new EAA Inflow Pump Station, an essential component of the EAA Reservoir project. This is the second Everglades restoration project to commence since the agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers last summer, which has empowered Florida to step up our Everglades restoration efforts. Today’s groundbreaking marks the 80th milestone event in Everglades restoration that has taken place since 2019, thanks to our leadership and commitment to getting this done.”
The ceremony underscores a remarkable record of progress for the state’s Everglades restoration efforts. Since 2019, Florida has celebrated 80 milestone events, ranging from ribbon cuttings to groundbreaking ceremonies, marking the largest number of restoration achievements in state history. Governor DeSantis has made water quality and Everglades restoration a central priority of his administration, and today’s event highlights the ongoing results of that commitment.
“The EAA Reservoir is a critical component of Everglades restoration and Governor DeSantis has led the charge on getting this project done,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert. “Restoring America’s Everglades is one of the most ambitious environmental restoration projects ever undertaken and will restore the natural flow of clean water south to where it’s needed most. With every project we are delivering real results on time, under budget and with strong returns for Florida’s taxpayers.”
The new inflow pump station will be a massive engineering feat, featuring nine high-capacity pumps capable of moving approximately 3 billion gallons of water per day from Lake Okeechobee into the EAA Reservoir. Once completed, it will rank among the largest pump stations in Florida, serving as a critical conduit for managing water flows, restoring ecosystems, and protecting communities from flooding.
For decades, Florida’s water management system was designed to prevent flooding, but these measures disrupted the natural southward flow of water into the Everglades. The EAA Reservoir Project is intended to correct this imbalance, redirecting water to where it is needed most, revitalizing ecosystems, and reducing harmful discharges into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries. Environmental experts say the project represents a turning point in restoring the Everglades’ natural hydrology.
Today’s groundbreaking also marks a major step forward under a landmark agreement signed in July 2025 between the State of Florida and the U.S. Department of the Army. This pact accelerates the EAA Reservoir construction timeline by five years, moving the anticipated completion date from 2034 to 2029. By streamlining federal approvals and redirecting resources, the agreement fast-tracks the state’s restoration goals and ensures that the benefits of the reservoir reach communities sooner.
Florida’s progress in restoring the Everglades has already produced measurable results. Since 2019, the state has completed the C-44 and C-43 reservoir projects and is now accelerating the EAA Reservoir. Nutrient reduction efforts have removed over 1.8 million pounds of nitrogen and 770,000 pounds of phosphorus from waterways, while South Florida’s water storage capacity has tripled to 176 billion gallons. These efforts have not only enhanced environmental outcomes but also provided stronger protections against flooding and water pollution for local communities.
Governor DeSantis has made Everglades restoration a priority from the start of his tenure. On his second day in office, he signed Executive Order 19-12, committing $2.5 billion over four years for water quality and Everglades restoration. That investment was exceeded, with $3.3 billion allocated in his first term—more than the previous 12 years combined. In his second term, the state has already allocated an additional $1.4 billion in the FY 2025-26 budget, bringing the total commitment over the first three years of the term to $4.6 billion, putting Florida on track to exceed the second-term goal of $3.5 billion. Altogether, nearly $8 billion has been invested in Everglades restoration and water quality projects since 2019.
The new EAA inflow pump station is just one piece of a broader network of projects designed to restore the flow of clean water across Florida’s unique and sensitive ecosystems. Earlier this year, the state also broke ground on the Blue Shanty Flow Way, a system designed to deliver clean water south across Tamiami Trail and into Florida Bay. Together, these initiatives represent a coordinated approach to addressing decades of water management challenges and environmental degradation.
For environmental advocates, scientists, and policymakers, the EAA Reservoir and its associated infrastructure symbolize hope for the future of the Everglades. By reestablishing natural water flows, reducing harmful nutrient discharges, and creating long-term water storage solutions, the project addresses pressing environmental, public health, and economic concerns. Coastal communities and water managers alike are watching closely as Florida moves toward a new era of water restoration.
As the groundbreaking ceremony concluded, Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of continued commitment and federal cooperation. “Florida is now breaking ground on the new EAA Inflow Pump Station, an essential component of the EAA Reservoir project,” he said, echoing the state’s determination to complete what many consider one of the most ambitious environmental restoration efforts in American history.
With this latest milestone, Florida demonstrates a clear path forward, blending large-scale engineering, environmental science, and strong state leadership. The EAA Reservoir and its inflow pump station are more than infrastructure projects—they are a promise to restore America’s Everglades, protect water quality, and secure the natural heritage of South Florida for generations to come.
