07/21/2026
WINTER SPRINGS, FL. — Under Consent Order from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection to rebuild its wastewater plants, the City of Winter Springs held a groundbreaking photo op at the site of its east reclamation plant today.
Jesse Phillips, the founder of the Winter Springs Water Quality Initiative, and candidate for Mayor, issued the following statement about the groundbreaking ceremony:
“Today city leaders officially waved the white flag, ending their seven year water war against the residents; we the people accept their surrender. The collateral damage is high. We are paying higher water bills every month to cover the cost of their losing effort. The next mayor and commission must cancel all future water rate hikes currently scheduled and get our utility bills back down.”
”Today is the culmination of many years of advocacy. Our first victory was the withdrawal of Veolia (the Flint, Michigan water company) after the mayor pushed to have their contract renewed. Then state regulators came in on behalf of the people and forced the city into compliance. As they put their shovels into the ground today, they are burying their resistance. Congratulations to my neighbors. You guys won!”