Regional Water Policy - How to Develop the Best Technical Tools while Working Within a Regulatory Framework

Public water suppliers across Florida have historically depended upon on inexpensive, fresh groundwater from the Floridan aquifer as their primary drinking water source. Based on major surface watershed boundaries, the state is divided into five Water Management Districts (WMDs) that regulate activities that affect the waters of the state and issue water use (or consumptive use) permits to water users. The Central Florida area is divided among three WMDs: the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). In 2006, during a period of very rapid population growth, these three WMDs concluded that the increased use of the desirable groundwater sources would not be sustainable (WMDs, 2006). Therefore, they embarked on a multi-year, multi-phase process to develop alternative water supplies (AWSs) and modify water resource management tools and regulations for the region.