The U.S. House has agreed to increase the amount of money in a federal fund Southwest Florida municipalities have used to help pay for water-cleaning projects.

The legislation increases the grant money available nationwide for state and local governments from $70 million to $200 million.

Grant money can be used to address "nonpoint pollution" from sources such as agricultural runoff, leaky septic tanks and stormwater runoff.

"The water issues stemming from Lake Okeechobee exemplify why it's absolutely critical that we work together to strengthen conservation programs, promote public health, defend our environment and protect our waterways,” U.S. Rep. Brian Mast said in a prepared statement.