SUBJECT
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Draft Central Florida Water Initiative Regional Water Supply Plan Update (Information)
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DESCRIPTION
Under Chapter 373, Florida Statutes (F.S.), water management districts must assess 20-year projected water demands and identify sustainable water supply sources that meet those needs while preserving natural resources. These assessments must be reviewed, updated, and adopted by the governing boards of the water management districts every five years.
Polk County falls entirely within the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) planning area. The 2015 and 2020 CFWI planning documents, which incorporate demand projections for PRWC member public suppliers, concluded that traditional Upper Floridan Aquifer supplies would be insufficient to meet the growing regional demand. These findings, alongside the 2021 CFWI Rule, spurred the formation of the PRWC and the implementation of non-traditional water supply projects, including the Southeast and West Polk Wellfields.
The Draft 2025 CFWI Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) confirms several key findings:
• By 2045, total water supply needs will reach 856 million gallons per day (mgd).
• Available groundwater is estimated at 760 mgd.
• To meet the 2045 demand, conservation measures or new water supply projects must provide an additional 96 mgd.
These projections align with the 2020 RWSP findings and reinforce the need for PRWC’s alternative water supply projects. Both the Southeast and West Polk Wellfields are recognized as crucial components in addressing the anticipated 96 mgd shortfall, with the Peace and Alafia Rivers also playing a key role in meeting future PRWC water supply demands.
The PRWC did submit technical comments to the CFWI regarding the Southeast and West Polk Lower Floridan Aquifer Wellfield Projects (attached).
RECOMMENDATION
This is an information item and no action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Eric DeHaven
Mary Thomas
Ed de la Parte