Florida Turns to Alternative Water Supplies
 
November 3, 2006
 
Roger W. Sims- Orlando

Groundwater has long been the primary source of supply for North and Central Florida. However, in recent years, explosive growth has reduced the available “safe yield” to critical levels. Some areas, including Tampa Bay, experienced “water wars” years ago, and turned to surface water reservoirs and desalination to supplement groundwater withdrawals. Other areas are currently struggling with the limitations of groundwater and the need to find alternatives. Among these, the Central Florida I-4 corridor stands out.

The area surrounding Orlando overlaps the three largest water management districts in Florida: St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). These three districts have recently begun an initiative whereby local demands will eventually be met with “alternative” water supplies including surface water diversion and storage. Significant high flow (wet season) quantities can be safely diverted from major rivers, for example, but storage for use during low flow periods (dry season) is problematic. Cooperative efforts between the water management districts, local governments and other water users will be critical in order to assess future demand in a realistic way, and successfully pursue alternative water supply development to meet that demand. Funding is, of course, a major issue.

 

What Are the Options and Challenges?

Surface water reservoirs are a possibility, although costs are relatively high. Another option already in use is aquifer storage and recovery (ASR). The ASR concept injects treated surface water into the groundwater system, where it can be safely withdrawn at a later time. ASR can be less expensive than reservoirs in terms of construction cost (considering the volume ASR can handle) but permitting can be difficult.

In addition to the high cost of alternative supplies, the Orlando region faces additional challenges due to the involvement of three different water management districts with varying rules, methodologies, data sets, and policies. Under the Central Florida Initiative just beginning, SFWMD, SJRWMD and SWFWMD will take steps to adopt common, consistent rule provisions, modeling approaches and other methodologies. In addition, data will be coordinated to avoid inconsistencies, gaps and other problems.

Water supply is a critical issue at a global and national scale, but ultimately, water supply is an intensely local issue. The numerous towns, cities and counties involved in the Central Florida Initiative will all ultimately have to agree regarding political and legal approaches, technical issues and funding formulas. As with water supply in other parts of the country, success will depend on the willingness of the parties to cooperate and develop agreements to facilitate the ultimate solutions.

 

For more information, e-mail Roger Sims at roger.sims@hklaw.com or call toll free, 1-888-688-8500.