Hernando County updates Wellhead Protection maps, hearings set for January and February

Hernando County Utilities notified the community on November 12, 2025 of a proposed amendment to the county Wellhead Protection Area ordinance and updated maps for the Wellhead Protection Area and Springs Protection Area. The update incorporates recent groundwater flow analyses, and could move parcels into newly defined protection zones that aim to reduce risks to municipal drinking water sources.

The revisions were presented as a preventive step to bolster local drinking water safeguards. By changing zone boundaries based on updated hydrologic information, the county seeks to align regulatory tools with the best available science. The proposed ordinance amendment is scheduled for a first public hearing on January 13, 2026 and a second hearing on February 10, 2026. In the weeks before those hearings Hernando County Utilities has offered scheduled map viewings and contact options for residents with questions.

For property owners the practical implications may be significant. Reclassification into a protection zone can affect permitted activities on a site, influence permitting requirements, and may prompt additional review for new development or certain land uses. The county has directed stakeholders and interested residents to EngageHernando for full details, schedules for map viewings, and instructions on how to submit questions or comments prior to the hearings.

The changes also reflect broader environmental priorities. Springs and groundwater systems in Florida are interconnected with ecosystems, recreation, and local economies, making accurate mapping and protective measures a municipal as well as regional concern. Using groundwater flow analysis to guide zoning decisions follows scientific practice adopted in many jurisdictions where aquifer protection is central to public health and long term water security.

Residents are advised to consult the updated maps through EngageHernando, attend the scheduled public hearings to ask questions and register concerns, and contact Hernando County Utilities for clarification about how any reclassification might affect specific properties. The county process will determine whether the proposed ordinance amendment is adopted following the February 10 hearing.