The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has formalized a groundbreaking rule that prohibits water users from tapping into Florida’s Everglades.
This rule will not only protect and restore the Everglades, but sets a precedent for regional growth – expanding towns, cities and developments can no longer look to protected resources for their water.
They will have to develop alternative water supply solutions including recycling water, using reclaimed water to recharge the Biscayne Aquifer or draw water from the deeper Floridan Aquifer, which requires treatment to remove saltwater content.
Known as the Regional Water Availability Rule, this first-of-its kind requirement prevents water users from tapping the Everglades for new or additional supplies of water. Setting aside the water in the Everglades for environmental restoration, permitted users like urban water utilities along Florida’s southeast coast will now have to find alternative sources to supply regional growth.
Said Michael Sole, Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, “This visionary rule safeguards Florida’s investments, ensures that our communities manage growth responsibly and provides additional guarantees for making water available for the environment first.”
In South Florida, water suppliers in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties currently depend on an estimated 500 million gallons of water per day from the Everglades to recharge and sustain the Biscayne Aquifer — their primary drinking water source.
“This rule is a big win for the environment,” said Kevin McCarty, Governing Board Chairman of the South Florida Water Management District. “South Florida is a different place than it was just 30 years ago, and our water resources are not unlimited. This rule boldly addresses regional growth and the need to protect the natural system for future generations.”
Existing water supply permits are not being revoked. The rule affects new applicants seeking a permit and existing permittees seeking permit renewal. The rule specifically prevents permitted water supply allocations from being greater than levels that existed prior to April 2006. To prevent shortfalls in meeting current public drinking water needs, the rule provides a grace period for renewal applicants, provided they are actively developing alternative supplies.
The District sought extensive public input on the rule, holding five rounds of workshops and issuing five draft rules in response to comments from stakeholders before developing and publishing the final draft.
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