Florida's water supply is facing more issues, and it could cost a lot to fix them.
According to Bay News 9's partner paper, the Tampa Bay Times, the state's once-clear springs are suffering from the growth of toxic brown algae. Experts don't know what is causing it, but they think it is a bad sign.
The algae is just one of several problems faced by the springs. Other issues include low water flow, pollution and salt water intrusion.
State water officials said it could cost more than $122 million to fix all of the problems. The Times reports that figure is 10 times what the state spent on the springs last year and four times the budget for Everglades restoration.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush launched an initiative to explore the problems with the springs in 2000, but the effort was disbanded by Gov. Rick Scott.
The Times reports that most recently, recommendations made by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have gone ignored by the Legislature with the exception of one, which required inspections of septic tanks. That law was repealed last year after septic tank owners objected to the $150 inspection price.