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Date |
Title/Description |
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26-Sep-2008 |
Climate Change - Issue Background and Definition: The principle impacts of climate change will
manifest themselves through the hydrological system. These impacts include changing precipitation
patterns that may result in more severe
drought or floods, varying stream flow patterns, rising sea levels along the coasts and freshwater contamination. The uncertainty caused by climate
change relative to its impacts on water resources poses a daunting challenge for drinking water, wastewater, and storm water utilities responsible for managing water resources for local communities. Therefore, utilities must anticipate,
plan for and adapt to the potential effects of climate change. |
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24-Sep-2008 |
PCEC’S Proposed Staturatory Amendments - Section 373.016(4)(a), Florida Statutes is amended. This document shows where changes occur. |
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23-Sep-2008 |
Reforming the Florida Water Resources Act of 1972 - The Florida Water Resources Act of 1972 has been widely recognized for its creation of one of the most comprehensive and progressive water regulatory systems in the nation. Writing over three decades ago, the authors asserted that the country was “in the early stages of a water crisis.” In the authors’ view, the crisis would be triggered by a “population explosion” and the escalating water demands of citizens, industry, and agriculture—all coupled with a growing societal awareness of the importance of protecting the natural environment through maintenance of streamflows and groundwater levels. As members of the next generation of law professors from the University of Florida, we offer our observations on forthcoming water challenges, together with potential tools to address those challenges. As we step into the very large shoes of our predecessors at the law school, we pay homage to those who came before us. We view this paper as a “preliminary discussion draft,” which we hope will serve as a starting point for discussions with government leaders, business and agricultural interests, environmental interests, and citizens concerned with finding workable solutions to Florida’s water challenges. |
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23-Sep-2008 |
Learning from the Drought - This report, prepared by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)according to the statutory requirements of sections 373.0361(5) and 373.536(6)(a)4, Florida Statutes (F.S.), summarizes the water management districts’ progress on their:
• Regional water supply plans,
• Five-year water resource development work programs, and
• Development of alternative water sources through funding provided by the
Water Protection and Sustainability Program.
In addressing those topics, this report also provides information on:
• Historic trends in fresh water use,
• Impacts of the drought, and
• Drought management strategies. |
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22-Sep-2008 |
Golf - A Major Economic Player in Florida - Golf is big business in Florida. Determining the impacts associated with the state’s 1,300 golf courses was the goal of a recent study conducted by John J. Haydu, Ph.D. and Alan W. Hodges, Ph.D. of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. In addition to studying the economic benefits of the golf industry, the study also examined the industry’s water use and conservation practices, the relationship between golf courses, land valuations and property tax revenues as well as golf’s contributions to the state’s tourism industry. |
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22-Sep-2008 |
Golf Fact Sheet - Golf facts from:
UF/IFAS;
U.S. Geological Survey, Tallahassee Office;
Florida USGS WEB Page;
Water-Use WEB Page |
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22-Sep-2008 |
Water Use in Florida - Accurate estimates reflecting water use and trends in Florida are compiled in 5-year intervals by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the Northwest Florida, St. Johns River, South Florida, Southwest Florida, and Suwannee River Water Management Districts (Marella, 2004). This coordinated effort provides the necessary data and information for planning future water needs and resource management. |
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15-Sep-2008 |
Landscape Irrigation and Florida-Friendly Design Standards - Up to one-half of public water supply in Florida is devoted to landscape irrigation. Given Florida's limited water resources, in combination with a rapidly growing population, wise irrigation practices will play an essential role in providing a sustainable water future for our state. The Committee on Landscape Irrigation and Florida-Friendly Design Standards was formed to carry out the provisions of section 373.228(4), F.S. |
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09-Sep-2008 |
Utility/Water Management District/FDEP Partnership - Issue Background and Definition: Partnerships between Utilities, Water Management Districts (WMDs) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) are essential in the planning, development and operation
of public water supply facilities and infrastructure. Through Utility / WMDs / FDEP partnerships, the creation of multi-jurisdictional ntities, such as regional water supply authorities, has helped resolve many conflicts. |
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09-Sep-2008 |
Water Resources Management - Issue Background and Definition:
Water resources management concerns the management and operations of sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure in a comprehensive and integrated fashion, recognizing and addressing the unique characteristics of water resources in
Florida. These water resources are defined by a climate with abundant, but highly variable rainfall conditions. This inherent variability presents
significant challenges for reliable and cost-effective water supply infrastructure. |
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09-Sep-2008 |
Surface Water - Issue Background and Definition: Surface water supply has traditionally been the
major source of public water supply throughout the U.S. Major rivers, reservoirs and lakes are primary sources of supply and treated by public utilities
in many states. In Florida, surface water
sources for public water supply have been relatively few. Only about 50 of the state’s 6,000 public water systems utilize surface waters as their source (only 20 provide surface water treatment
at their utility with the others being consecutive systems that purchase treated water from these suppliers). Groundwater has historically been the
major resource used throughout the state for public water supply primarily due to its easy accessibility and low cost. |
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09-Sep-2008 |
Desalination - Issue Background and Definition: Desalination is the process by which salt is removed from seawater or brackish water. Today there are more than 12,000 desalination plants operating worldwide producing over 12 billiongallons-per-day of desalinated water. Florida embraced desalination over 30 years ago and now has more than 130 facilities operating statewide.
The most common desalination process utilizes reverse osmosis (RO) technology. Water supply to a desalination plant is typically via an ocean surface or sub-surface intake, or well system. |
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09-Sep-2008 |
Water Conservation - Issue Background and Definition:
Water conservation efforts in Florida date back more than 30 years. Currently, the State’s water management districts require planning and implementation
of water conservation measures by
public water suppliers, commercial and industrial users, landscape and golf course users, and agricultural
users. |
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09-Sep-2008 |
Reclaimed Water - Issue Background and Definition: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) defines reclaimed water as water that has received at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection and is reused after flowing out of a domestic wastewater treatment facility. Extensive treatment and disinfection ensures that public health and environmental quality are protected.
Reclaimed water is a very important alternative water source as it saves water that would otherwise be withdrawn from freshwater ground or surface water sources to meet demands. Reclaimed
water also reduces the reliance on traditional disposal methods such as ocean outfalls or deep injection wells which waste the resource. |
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09-Sep-2008 |
Water Allocation and Transfer - Issue Background and Definition:
Florida has an abundance of water resources with more than 50 inches average annual rainfall, productive
aquifers, many lakes, streams, and rivers, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. So, early in Florida’s development water supply was believed to be unlimited. With Florida’s continued development the need for water supply has increased significantly and limitations to the availability of supply is being realized. Today, due to increasing demands of domestic use in combination with significant demands
of agriculture and industry, the limits of existing traditional water resources have been reached in some areas. When developed resources become scarce, competition for them among users increases often resulting in legal and political confrontations. These “water wars” are generally costly in both economic and political capital. Yet, Florida may not have a water supply problem but a water storage, distribution and cost of water production problem. |
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09-Sep-2008 |
Governance/Funding - Issue Background and Definition:
The inexpensive groundwater the State has traditionally relied on as a primary source of water to meet its water supply needs will not be adequate to meet all the future needs of significant areas of
peninsular Florida. Recently, in the Central and southeast parts of the State, the water management districts have declared that groundwater cannot be relied on to meet the growing demand
for water in these areas. This is in addition to existing limitations on groundwater withdrawals in southwest Florida. Florida’s water supply needs in
these areas will be met only by: (1) decreasing demand through increased conservation, (2) increasing the reuse of reclaimed wastewater, and (3) increasing the supply of water from alternative water sources, such as surface water and desalination. |
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04-Sep-2008 |
Enough water to go around? - This article, which appears in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife 2060 report, states that Florida, now the fourth-most populous
state in the nation, is predicted to grow
another 21 percent, exceeding 21
million residents. Total demand for
water is projected to reach nearly
8 billion gallons a day—at least 1
billion gallons more than at
present. Moreover, models predict
that as global climate patterns
change, there will be less rainfall
in South Florida, where the
majority of humans reside, and
more in the northern region of
the state. |
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04-Sep-2008 |
The Economist: Running dry - This article discusses the impact water quality and water quantity have on the global economy. "Like oil, water is a critical lubricant of the global economy. And as with oil, supplies of water—at least, the clean, easily accessible sort—are coming under
enormous strain because of the growing global population and an emerging middle-class in Asia that hankers for the water-intensive life enjoyed by people in the West." |
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04-Sep-2008 |
Time: The Sour State of Florida Citrus - This Time article discusses the impact Hurricane Fay's heavy rains will have on Florida's citrus industry. |
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21-Aug-2008 |
Florida Water Conservation Initiative - In response to growing water demands, water supply problems, and one of the worst droughts in Florida’s
history, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection led a statewide Water Conservation Initiative
to find ways to improve efficiency in all categories of water use. A total of 51 recommendations--22 High Priority, 20 Medium Priority, and 9 Low Priority--are included in this report. (April 2002) |
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21-Aug-2008 |
Recommendations for a Drought Resistant Florida - In response to the 2007 drought, the Department of Environmental Protection, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the South Florida Water Management District, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, produced the April 17, 2007 Florida Drought Action Plan. In response, participants in the Conserve Florida program met to consider the feasibility of water conservation measures that might be of assistance in the current drought. Six Work Groups were established to consider short-term and mid-term responses to the drought
with priorities for potential immediate benefit. This report builds on the recommendations from each of the six Work Groups that contributed ideas
to address the drought. |
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20-Aug-2008 |
Florida Spring's Heartland - This video illustrates the challenges being faced by some of Florida's most important springs. |
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20-Aug-2008 |
Conserve Florida Water Conservation GUIDE - The GUIDE is your utility's pathway toward improved water use efficiency, which helps protect Florida's unique water resources while saving money for both you and your customers. Development of the GUIDE is required by Florida Statute, and has been a cooperative undertaking of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the South Florida Water Management District; the St. Johns River Water Management District; the Southwest Florida Water Management District; the Northwest Florida Water Management District; the Suwannee River Water Management District; the Florida Public Service Commission; the Utility Council of the American Water Works Association, Florida Section; the Utility Council of the Florida Water Environment Association; and the Florida Rural Water Association; as well as other individuals and organizations. |
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20-Aug-2008 |
University of Florida Water Institute - Florida’s burgeoning human population and vulnerability to both climatological and anthropogenic changes in the water cycle make the State a unique living laboratory to develop new knowledge and test solutions to global water problems. In recognition of the importance of water issues, and the need to address them in a new interdisciplinary manner, the University of Florida established a campus-wide interdisciplinary Water Institute in May 2006.
Engineering, policy and legal solutions developed in Florida provide a model for others, both nationally and internationally. |
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20-Aug-2008 |
What's Coming from Your Tap? - This Wall Street Journal article disusses an increase in the number of people returning to drinking tap water--and the potential problems with this trend. |
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15-Aug-2008 |
How Florida Can Achieve Water Neutrality: Discussion Paper - Florida is facing a challenge in meeting its future demand for water. New developments can be designed to reduce this demand, but can not eliminate it. Most of the current supply reduction programs do not address the present demand for the millions of properties that were developed in the past. The concept of water neutral is based on the premise that potable water is a finite resource and that Florida needs to develop within its current water footprint. |
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12-Aug-2008 |
A Tall, Cool Drink of ... Sewage? - According to this New York Times article, with the demand for water growing, some aquifers dropping faster than they’re replenished, snowpacks
thinning and climate change predicted to make dry places even drier, water managers around the country,
and the world, are contemplating water reuse methods. |
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11-Aug-2008 |
Liquid assets -- Economy, resources put opportunities in the pipeline - According to this Tampa Bay Journal article, new data affirms that there has been a sea change for Tampa Bay area water managers. |
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07-Aug-2008 |
Ground Water Report to the Nation: A Call to Action - A group representing state environmental regulators across the country recently told a congressional panel that current rates of water use are unsustainable and are already leading to critical shortages in some areas. In their presentation to the Congressional Water Caucus, the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) called for greater national emphasis and better funding to study and protect underground sources of water. The Congressional Water Caucus is studying what members consider to be one of the most important issues facing our nation: ensuring a dependable fresh water supply for all Americans for years to come. Ground water is the drinking water source for nearly half the population. According to GWPC, there are plenty of warning signs that ground water is in trouble, painting a picture of a growing national problem with significant environmental and economic impacts. To view this series of reports click on the Ground Water report shown above. |
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07-Aug-2008 |
Recommendations for Water Congress - This document provides a list of recommendations for disussion during the Water Congress from Audubon of Florida. |
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05-Aug-2008 |
Aquifer Storage and Recovery of Irrigation Water in Shallow Fresh Water lenses on Barrier Islands - Residential and resort development of barrier islands has resulted in increasing demands for irrigation water. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of utilizing the hydrogeology of the barrier islands and enhancing the naturally occurring fresh water lenses to provide a groundwater source for future extraction using individual wells or well-points to extract the irrigation water. |
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31-Jul-2008 |
Turning the tide in the water crisis - In this Los Angeles Times article, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California's senior U.S. senator Dianne Feinstein present a water bond package for California Legislature's consideration.
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23-Jul-2008 |
Alternative Water Resources Bill - The following is legislation that addresses the need for public private cooperation in trying to address water supply issues. This bill was considered but ultimately failed to pass the 2008 Legislature and should resurface in 2009.
To summarize, the bill encourages private land owners to make their property available for alternative water supply projects and incents them to do so by providing a 50 year consumptive use permitting horizon. |
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27-Aug-2008 |
Florida 2030 Task Force Update - This one page flyer provides the organizational chart that presents Florida 2030’s transparent and peer-reviewed process for their participation in the 2008 Water Congress. |
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27-Aug-2008 |
Florida 2030 Climate Change Committee - This Water Resouces Journal article discusses the impact climate change will have on the world’s water resources. These impacts include changing precipitation patterns
that may result in more severe drought or
floods, varying stream flow patterns, rising sea levels along the coasts and freshwater contamination. |
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27-Aug-2008 |
Florida 2030 Water Resources Management Committee - This Water Resouces Journal article discusses the need to seek answers to the water supply issues
in Florida and the importance of water resources management. Water Management offers the opportunity to integrate key components and optimal solutions
that minimize cost and maximize reliability and sustainability of both the environment and water supply. |
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27-Aug-2008 |
Florida 2030 Desalination Committee - This Water Resouces Journal article discusses Florida’s growing population and the impact this will have on water demands stressing existing water supply options. It states that desalination should rank high in criticality to the State’s future water plan. |
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27-Aug-2008 |
Florida 2030 Surface Water Committee - This Water Resouces Journal, article discusses the surface water supply as a critical component of the water supply system. Surface water has traditionally been the major source of public water supply throughout the U.S. But in Florida, surface water sources for public water supply have been relatively few. Groundwater has historically been the major resource tapped for public water supply primarily due to its easy accessibility and low cost. Due to over-reliance on groundwater
spanning decades, various coastal regions
in Florida are now experiencing salt-water intrusion. Consequently, the need for development of environmental and economical sustainable alternative water supply alternatives in Florida is critical. |
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27-Aug-2008 |
Florida 2030 Conservation Committee - This Water Resouces Journal article discusses the need for water conservation in water supply planning. It states that the simple bottom line is that water shortage restrictions should protect the resource, the economy and the community. |
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27-Aug-2008 |
Florida 2030 Reuse Committee - This Water Resouces Journal article discusses was to maximize the use of reclaimed water in Florida. The Florida Department of Environmental
Protection defines reclaimed water as water that has received at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection and is reused after flowing out of a domestic wastewater treatment facility.
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27-Aug-2008 |
Florida 2030 Water Allocation and Transfer Committee - This Water Resouces Journal article discusses the need for a defined transfer and voluntary trading process. According to the article, without one, the state will see repeated and intensifying regional and inter-regional water wars. The ability to transfer water from areas of availability to areas of need, the protection of the economic interests of the areas of availability, and the protection of the environment in both areas is crucial to providing a framework to address the state’s long term water supply. |
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