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Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting · 2026-05-12 · agenda_item

The City of Bushnell has expressed opposition to a proposed deep injection well associated with the Heart of Florida Landfill in Sumter County. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has exclusive authority over the review and permitting of this type of facility. The City is concerned about potential impacts to underground drinking water sources, including predicting subsurface groundwater movement and the long-term behavior of injected materials. The project involves operational components like well casings and piping systems. The City is requesting additional transparency from FDEP regarding system design, construction standards, monitoring, and enforcement. The City supports Sumter County's offer to host a public education session to provide detailed information and answer questions. This item is currently under review by the FDEP, with a public education session planned. The scope of work would involve site preparation, well construction, installation of piping and monitoring systems, and potentially advanced treatment and reuse options. Contractors specializing in environmental engineering, well drilling, underground utilities, and site preparation could find opportunities. Engaging early is advantageous as plans and permits are still being settled.