City News Blog: Lakeland Awarded $368,852 Grant from FDEP for Lake Mirror Project
LAKELAND, FL (September 2, 2025) - The City of Lakeland has been awarded $368,852 in grant funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) through the State Water Quality Assistance Grant (SWAG) Non-Point Source Program. The funds will support the Lake Mirror Inlet Basket Retrofit Nutrient Removal Project.
In 2021, FDEP approved a Nutrient Reduction Plan (NRP) for Lake Mirror after determining that the lake’s surface waters were impaired by excessive nutrient levels. Stormwater runoff entering the lake was identified as a primary contributor to these nutrient loads.
This project will retrofit six (6) existing stormwater inlets that discharge directly into Lake Mirror. The retrofits include the purchase and installation of custom FabCo storm basin inlet baskets equipped with FabPhos media filter cartridges. A FabPhos media cartridge is a proprietary filter product developed by Fabco Industries for treating polluted water, primarily stormwater runoff. It is specifically designed to remove harmful nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from water before it enters natural waterways.
These inlet baskets serve as the first line of defense by capturing sediment, trash, and organic debris. The FabPhos filter cartridges further remove dissolved nutrients, providing an added layer of treatment. By upgrading existing infrastructure rather than building new systems, the project remains a cost-effective solution.
As part of the grant requirements, the City of Lakeland will contribute a 1% financial match—approximately $3,600—which will be met through public education efforts. These outreach activities will focus on the sources of stormwater pollution and the City’s initiatives to reduce pollutant levels.
The primary goal of the project is to reduce nutrient inputs to Lake Mirror in order to curb algal growth, improve water clarity, enhance light penetration, and encourage the growth of beneficial aquatic plants. These improvements are expected to boost overall water quality and provide better habitat for native wildlife.
Lake Mirror is a key feature of downtown Lakeland, serving as a venue for City events, a hub for recreational activities, and the location of the popular Hollis Garden.
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.
Citizens are also invited to follow the City on social media.