DELAND/DELTONA — November 26, 2025 Florida’s Capitol power brokers are once again moving to strip local governments of authority over water quality, even as residents raise alarms about PFAS/PFOS contamination in drinking water.

House Bill 479, filed November 19 with a July 2026 effective date, would further preempt local land and water management standards. Critics say it’s another example of Tallahassee consolidating power at the expense of community voices. Nearly 600 bills have already been filed for the upcoming legislative session, yet not one addresses or amends SB 180—the controversial statute that weakened local oversight of pollution. Instead, at least three new preemption bills are already on the docket.

Local Leaders Under Pressure

In Deltona, the question is whether nonpartisan officeholders will stand with residents demanding clean water—or remain silent while political action committees, heavily funded by chemical industry interests, dominate the conversation.

Mayor Santiago Avila Jr., former Rep. David Santiago, and Volusia County Chair Jeff Brower have been called out by activists who accuse them of ignoring PFAS/PFOS concerns while benefiting from Tallahassee’s PAC machinery.

On the other side, community advocates point to leaders like Matt Reinhart, Commissioner Dori Howington, Maritza Avila Vazquez, Stephen Colwell Jr., and Davison Heriot as potential allies in the fight for clean water.

A Growing Divide

The debate has sharpened into a cultural and political divide:

• Silent alignment with Tallahassee special interests—seen by critics as “man boys” unwilling to challenge chemical lobbyists.
• Grassroots resistance—a coalition of independents, Republicans, and Democrats rallying under the banner of “Americans First,” insisting that safe drinking water is a fundamental right for current residents and future generations.

What’s at Stake

PFAS and PFOS, often called “forever chemicals,” have been linked nationally to health risks ranging from cancer to developmental issues. With state lawmakers moving to block local regulation, residents fear their communities will lose the ability to set higher standards or respond quickly to contamination.

“This isn’t just about politics—it’s about whether our children inherit clean, healthy water,” said one local advocate. “Tallahassee is working harder than ever to eliminate our voice in local politics and consolidate power in the Capitol.”