Last Update March 28, 1996

This issue addresses the management of fresh water in Florida for continued ecological maintenance and to meet agricultural, commercial, and industrial needs. Management of this resource is critical for Florida because as demands grow, it becomes increas ingly evident that the supply is rapidly being depleted or exceeded in coastal counties. This can result in the inefficient and inequitable use of fresh water resources as well as increasing saltwater intrusion in coastal counties. The diverse natural s ystems in Florida are also highly dependent on water quality and flow levels and may be impacted by fluctuations in the salinity of ground and surface waters.

Fresh Water Allocated for Ecological Maintenance

• Total fresh water withdrawals
• Discharge of treated domestic and industrial wastewater
• Permitted aquifer storage and recovery facilities
• Reuse of reclaimed water

Fresh Water Allocated to Meet Residential Needs

• Public supply water withdrawals
• Domestic self-supplied water withdrawals
• Number of reverse osmosis treatment facilities

Fresh Water Allocated to Meet Commercial-Industrial Needs

• Commercial-industrial water withdrawals
• Thermoelectric power generation water withdrawals

Fresh Water Allocated to Meet Agricultural Needs

• Agricultural water withdrawals