City News Blog: City of Lakeland Awarded Nearly $1 Million Grant for Lake Morton Water Quality Project
LAKELAND, FL (September 2, 2025) | The City of Lakeland has been awarded $994,401 through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Innovative Technology Grant Program to support the Nutrient Removal Innovative Technology Demonstration Project at Lake Morton.
This grant will fund the deployment of advanced technology aimed at reducing nutrient levels, mitigating harmful algal blooms, and addressing legacy nutrient buildup in the lake. The project will utilize a Phosphorus Elimination System with Denitrification Modules, developed and patented by Surface Water Infrastructure Group.
Three temporary modules will be installed along the shoreline of Lake Morton. These units will pump lake water through two layers of patented nutrient-reducing media. The treated water will then be collected via underdrain pipes and returned to the lake. In addition, native and beneficial vegetation will be planted around the modules to support ecological health.
The primary goal of the project is to demonstrate a fully customizable, mobile water treatment system that can be adapted, disassembled, and relocated as needed. Anticipated outcomes include:
- Reduced algal biomass
- Lower nutrient concentrations
- Improved water clarity
- Increased light penetration
These improvements are expected to foster the return of submerged aquatic vegetation, further enhancing water quality and providing habitat for Lake Morton’s diverse wildlife. Lake Morton has exceeded the state’s Numeric Nutrient Criteria, prompting the FDEP to approve a Nutrient Reduction Plan (NRP) in 2021. This plan requires the City to take specific actions to improve water quality.
“We’re excited to showcase this cutting-edge technology to combat algae blooms and enhance surface water quality across our City lakes,” said Laurie Smith, Manager of Lakes and Stormwater. “What makes this system particularly valuable is its adaptability. It can be configured to fit the unique conditions of any lake, expanded or downsized as needed, and easily moved to another location. That flexibility will be key in restoring other nutrient-impaired lakes in Lakeland.”
At its meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the Lakeland City Commission authorized City officials to execute the grant agreement with the FDEP. The demonstration project at Lake Morton is scheduled to begin operations in early 2026 and will continue through May 2029. For more information about the Lake Morton project or the City’s broader lake restoration efforts, please contact Laurie Smith at 863-834-6276 or laurie.smith@lakelandgov.net.
Contact
Kevin Cook
Director of Communications
City of Lakeland
863.834.6264
Kevin.Cook@LakelandGov.net
About Lakeland
The City of Lakeland was incorporated in January 1885 and has grown to become one of the largest inland communities in Florida. With a current population fast approaching 130,000 Lakeland continues to grow. It has been designated a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area by the US Census Bureau for over 30 years. With tourist attractions and gulf beaches only an hour away, Lakeland continues to capitalize on its ideal central Florida location along the I-4 corridor. The City owns and operates Lakeland Electric, the third largest publicly owned utility in Florida and it was one of the first to offer power in the Sunshine State in 1889.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please visit www.lakelandgov.net. Citizens are also invited to follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Snapchat and Nextdoor. Citizens can find the City of Lakeland on these social media platforms by searching lakelandgov.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
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