Partnership projects add up to water savings

From the St. John's River Water Management District

Multiple water supply projects funded through the St. Johns River Water Management District’s competitive cost-share program are resulting in millions of gallons of water saved across the district’s 18-county service area.

“Recent dry conditions reinforce the importance of providing sufficient water for people and the environment,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “The district consistently pursues water conservation as a strategy to meet current and future water supply needs. Our cost-share program is an incredible tool for supporting local projects that promote sustainable water resources, provide for alternative water supplies and enhance water conservation efforts.”

In 2016, the district’s governing board approved 43 projects to benefit water supply. In 2015, 20 water supply projects were approved by the governing board for funding. The selected projects benefit water conservation or alternative water supplies. Collectively, the district contributed $24 million toward construction of projects estimated to achieve up to 73.3 million gallons of water conserved or made available each day.

In addition to water supply, the cost-share program also helps fund projects that benefit water quality, natural systems restoration, and flood protection.

Currently, there are several active, district-funded water supply projects in Marion, Flagler, Orange, Indian River, St. Johns and Duval counties. This year’s application process for potential projects under the districtwide annual cost-share program closed April 13. Ranked projects will go before the board for approval in June.

In addition to the cost-share program, the district also stresses the need for water conservation year-round through the permitting process, educational outreach and grassroots efforts.

In fact, this April the district is highlighting Water Conservation Month, a designation intended to heighten public awareness about the variety of ways to reduce our water use. The designation is especially timely this year as it coincides with the issuance of several Water Shortage Warning Orders that encompass multiple counties across Florida intended to increase awareness of a potentially prolonged drought.

For more information about Water Conservation Month and tips on how to reduce water use visit www.sjrwmd.com/waterconservation.

About the St. Johns River Water Management District

St. Johns River Water Management District staff are committed to ensuring the sustainable use and protection of water resources for the benefit of the people of the district and the state of Florida. The St. Johns River Water Management District is one of five districts in Florida managing groundwater and surface water supplies in the state. The district encompasses all or part of 18 northeast and east-central Florida counties. District headquarters are in Palatka, and staff also are available to serve the public at service centers in Maitland, Jacksonville and Palm Bay.

Connect with us on Twitter at @sjrwmd, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. For more information about the district, please visit www.sjrwmd.com.