SUBJECT
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Southwest Florida Water Management District Update on Central Florida Water Initiative (Information)
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DESCRIPTION
The Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) is a collaborative water supply planning effort among three Water Management Districts, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and other stakeholders. The planning area includes all of Polk County. The CFWI was initiated to address long-term water supply needs due to concerns resulting from over-use of the Upper Floridan aquifer, the region’s main water supply source.
On January 5, 2022, the FDEP established new rules (ratified by the Florida Legislature) for the CFWI region (Chapter 62-41.300) to address growing water concerns within the CFWI. The new rules limit potable supply water users in the CFWI to the quantities of water necessary to meet their needs in 2025. It also requires all new and expanded uses of the Upper Floridan aquifer to be offset, among other provisions.
As a result of the CFWI, PRWC participating members have contractually and financially committed themselves to meet their projected annual average water demands from Alternative Water Supply (AWS) sources over the next 20 years and beyond. The AWS projects are anticipated to generate up to 45 MGD AWS water by 2070, with each phase taking substantial time, funding, and effort to construct.
Staff from the Southwest Florida Water Management District will provide an overview of the CFWI and discuss implications of the CFWI rule on PRWC members existing water use permits.
RECOMMENDATION
This is an information item, and no action is required at this BOD meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Eric DeHaven
Ed de la Parte