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The Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) recently released “Tapping New Sources:
Meeting 2025 Water Supply Needs.” The report documents
Florida’s progress in ensuring water for the future, while at
the same time protecting wetlands, rivers and springs. With
incentive funding from the state, projects are underway to produce
725 million gallons per day of alternative water supply to meet the
additional two billion gallons a day expected to be needed in
2025.
The annual report summarizes the progress
of the water management districts’ regional water supply
plans and the development of alternative water sources through
funding provided by the Water Protection and Sustainability
Program. The report provides information on the trends statewide
and in Florida’s five water management districts.
“Florida’s water is a priority
and we have statewide cooperation, long-term planning, and
significant investments in place to protect our water,” said
DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “The strategies detailed in
this report address the state’s water needs through new
approaches to water supply development.”
Two years ago, Florida revolutionized its
growth management laws by requiring local governments to
incorporate water supply planning in their future development
plans. In support, the state and the five regional water management
districts are providing funding through the Water Protection and
Sustainability Program to build alternative water supply projects.
In the last two years, the state and the water management districts
have invested almost $292 million toward the $2.5 billion
construction costs for projects for “new” supplies of
water.
“Florida will soon be the third most
populous state,” said Secretary Sole. “Visionary
planning, public cooperation and environmental commitment will
ensure we remain strong economically and a model of
sustainability.”
Through planning, Florida will be better
equipped to meet challenges such as the current drought conditions
and growth. In the Northwest part of the state, water supply
plans focus on shifting the demand from coastal well fields to
inland well fields and the development of surface water resources.
In the remaining areas of the state, the development of reclaimed
water and brackish water sources is emphasized. Conservation is an
integral part of each water supply plan and DEP and all five water
management districts are participants in the Conserve Florida
program, established to provide tools to develop and improve water
conservation.
The Water Protection and Sustainability
Program was established in 2005 to help water suppliers fund
alternative water supply projects. About 66 percent of the projects
funded in the first two years of the program involved reuse of
reclaimed water. An additional 19 percent of the alternative water
supply projects were for brackish groundwater projects. During the
first two years of the program, the water management districts
helped fund 238 projects.
To view the report, visit:
www.dep.state.fl.us/water/waterpolicy/rwsp.htm.
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