Florida's once-pristine springs threatened by pollution, development and climate change
Associated Press
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Visitors swim at Royal Spring, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Suwannee County, Fla. (AP Photo/Daniel Kozin)A liquid discharge spills into a waterway from Nutrien, a large phosphate mine in White Springs, Fla., Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Daniel Kozin)Kaelin Gibbs dives near the Blue Hole vent Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Fort White, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Gage Williams floats along Poe Spring on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Alachua County, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Gage Williams swings from a branch near the confluence of Poe Spring and the Santa Fe River on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Alachua County, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)The bathing area at Rainbow Springs State Park on Friday, July 18, 2025, in Dunnellon, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Algae hugs the edge and rocks below the water of Royal Spring on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Suwannee County, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)A water gauge measure discharge from White Sulphur Spring, that was a sacred place for Apalachee and Timucuan tribes, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in White Springs, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)A father and son walk along a mural Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in High Springs, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Michelle Jamesson, a volunteer at the SpringsWatch Citizen Science Program, takes in numerous readings by volunteers along the Wekiwa River on Friday, July 18, 2025, in Apopka, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)A young alligator rests on a log along the Wekiwa River, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Apopka, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)A father encourages his young son to jump into the deep pool in Royal Spring on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Suwannee County, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)A Great Egret walks on a floating dollar weed mat along the Wekiwa River on Friday, July 18, 2025, in Apopka, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)A mother and daughter walk along Royal Spring on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Suwannee County, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)A family swims in Royal Spring, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Suwanne County, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Workers put the final touches on single-family homes Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Zephyrhills, Fla. The town draws its water from the Floridan Aquifer. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Steven Spina, a member of the Zephyrhills, Fla., town council, poses Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in the historic district of Zephyrhills. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Ryan Smart, executive director of the Florida Spring Council, sits in the Poe Spring on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Alachua County, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Cows take shelter from the sun Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Trenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)A couple float along Poe Spring amid an algae bloom Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Alachua County, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Nutrien, a large phosphate mine in White Springs, Fla., operates Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Daniel Kozin)
AP
Visitors swim at Royal Spring, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Suwannee County, Fla. (AP Photo/Daniel Kozin)