Wellhead protection rules update
Summary
New state-law-aligned rules for protecting drinking-water well sites cleared their final readings unanimously — a quiet but important safeguard as the county grows and needs future well sites.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 13
- Last 30 days
- 3
Discussed at 4 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Nov 3, 2026.
Impact analysis
Delays to well siting can raise water supply costs as the county grows.
Everyone who drinks county water, especially near current and future well sites.
None identified in the record.
Mentions & discussions (13)
Board of County Commissioners - Nov 3, 2026
Well-driller Tom George urged the board to involve the St. Johns River Water Management District in development decisions, citing saltwater intrusion and declining aquifer levels.
Board of County Commissioners - Oct 20, 2026
New state-law-aligned rules for protecting drinking-water well sites cleared their final readings unanimously — a quiet but important safeguard as the county grows and needs future well sites.
Planning and Zoning Agency - Oct 15, 2026
County water rules will match the state's 500-foot wellhead protection zone, helping the utility secure 20-30 new well sites needed for future growth.
Special Board of County Commissioners - Sep 28, 2026
Roughly two dozen residents warned about water shortages, low water tables, and strained infrastructure if the enclaves were certified. Staff had separately found services inadequate for the site.
Board of County Commissioners - Sep 1, 2026
The County is updating its comprehensive plan for wellhead protection to match current law and best practices; the first reading passed and it heads to the State.
Planning and Zoning Agency - Aug 20, 2026
A state agency bounced the county's wellhead protection amendment, delaying new well sites needed for water pressure and growth. The board voted to retransmit the revised amendment.
Planning and Zoning Agency - Aug 6, 2026
The county pulled both wellhead protection items because state regulators aren't responding. The delay is holding up county well-site purchases needed to keep water supply ahead of growth.
Board of County Commissioners - Aug 4, 2026
The county joined six other governments in a joint study of whether the region's groundwater can keep up with growth, at a cost up to $125,551.
Planning and Zoning Agency - Jul 23, 2026
The county wants to modernize wellhead protection rules to match current state law and best practices, but is waiting on Tallahassee. The hearings were continued to August 6 — the county says it needs this to move forward on drilling new wells.
Planning and Zoning Agency - Jul 9, 2026
The county is updating decades-old wellhead protection rules to match modern state law and best practices, but the state hasn't told staff how to square it with Senate Bill 180, so both items were pushed to July 23.
Planning and Zoning Agency - Jun 4, 2026
St. Johns County Utility Department wants the Comp Plan and Land Development Code updated to modern wellhead protection standards, but state review isn't done — both items pushed to July 9.
Planning and Zoning Agency - May 21, 2026
The county wants to modernize wellhead protection rules to match state law and best practices, given growing density and future well sites — but held both items until June 4 while coordinating with the state.
Planning and Zoning Agency - Apr 2, 2026
The county wants to update its wellhead protection rules, which date to the original 1999 code, to meet current state law and protect drinking water as density grows. It's the first step in a months-long amendment process.
Related development
ENCERT 2026-12 Star IV
Decision deferred; neighbors raised conservation-area concerns about the parcel between two large developments.
Heritage Development West
Residents warned of up to ~7,000 potential units and added traffic on SR 207, plus wetland and school impacts.
Heritage Development East
Certification locks in entitlement toward up to roughly 8,000 potential units near SR 207, though actual density will be set in later development plans.
Wellhead Protection COMPAMD 26-01 / LDCA 25-07
Would update the LDC's wellhead protection regulations.
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