Florida Fresh Water Supply Isn't Projected To Keep Up With Population Growth
As Florida welcomes a surging number of new residents and struggles to maintain drinking water supplies, consumers, utilities, and public officials are being forced to adapt or risk running out of water altogether.
“The state’s current fresh water supply is projected to not be able to keep up with how many people are moving to the Sunshine State,” CBS 12 reported. “One city … is growing so fast that in order to make sure it has enough fresh water for everyone it’s putting a pause on all new development for a year.”
Florida faces a range of water-related problems in addition to its dwindling supplies, most notably a record-breaking seaweed bloom converging on its shores. And while the increasing demand on its drinking water is a challenge, local authorities seem confident that the state will adapt.
“According to the South Florida Water Management District, there’s no need to worry about the local water supply because there’s a plan in place,” according to CBS 12. “The regional water supply plan looks 20 years out. According to South Florida Water Management District Water Supply Planning Section Leader, Tom Colios, the plan takes population, agricultural and industrial growth into account along with looking at power generation demands.”
As South Florida officials project fluctuating needs for water, they have several options for extending supplies, from taking legislative action to tapping new sources.
“Each city has ordinances to reduce the amount of water usage to a couple of times a week if needed,” per CW 34. “The district says it also has alternative water supplies available, like aquifers and recycling water. But they also designate a certain amount of water for each area.”
Finally, as local officials look to enable continued growth while protecting drinking water, they are appealing to consumers to take conservation into their own hands.
“There are things everyone can do to help conserve water, like installing more efficient appliances like washing machines and dishwashers,” CBS 12 explained. “But Colios also says everyone should be more conscious about their usage. ‘Wait for the dishwasher to be full before you run it. Do a full load of laundry, not a partial load, and take shorter showers,’ said Colios.”
To read more about how drinking water managers are adapting to dwindling supplies, visit Water Online’s Water Scarcity Solutions Center.