St. Johns River Water Management District

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Seeking water conservation director

Help set the direction for water conservation efforts in northeast and central Florida. The District is seeking a strong leader with experience in developing creative water conservation initiatives who can analyze sophisticated technical water use data. See the complete job description and information on how to apply.

The next meeting of the District Governing Board is scheduled for July 8, 2008, at 1 p.m. at
District Headquarters in Palatka.

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The St. Johns River as a Drinking Water Source Introduction Background FAQs The District’s Work Presentations Meetings Cumulative Impacts Assessment

Introduction

“We share your concern for the health of our rivers, and the St. Johns River Water Management District takes the river’s water quality very seriously. The District will not allow river withdrawals without considering and addressing concerns over the river’s health. Much research has been done regarding the river’s health and water supply issues. We are happy to share that with you. We are committed to continuing our study on the potential effects of proposed withdrawals on the St. Johns River system, and we will share new information with you as it becomes available.”

— Kirby Green,
Executive Director
SJRWMD

Letter from Kirby Green [PDF]

Florida is surrounded by water and has numerous lakes and rivers. Even so, not all of that water is available for drinking.

With its growing population, Florida is challenged to ensure an adequate water supply and to protect the state’s natural resources, such as the St. Johns River.

In many areas of the St. Johns River Water Management District (District), groundwater supplies have reached their sustainable limit, or will reach these limits in the near future. Public supply water demand in the District is expected to nearly double by 2025, and Florida’s traditional water source — fresh groundwater from the Floridan aquifer — will not be able to meet all future needs.

Water conservation will continue to play a vitally important role in sustaining Florida’s water supply. However, conservation alone will not solve the water supply challenges facing our region. Water supply utilities in the 18-county service area of the District are moving forward with decisions to develop supplemental alternative water sources because many utilities are unlikely to receive District permits to take additional water supplies from groundwater. Alternative sources may include seawater, brackish
(slightly salty) groundwater, reclaimed water, and
surface water from our rivers.

The purpose of these Web pages is to provide you with accurate information about where our water supply comes from, where our water may come from in the future, and how related decisions will impact Florida and its residents.

Scenes from the Middle St. Johns River Basin

Scenes from the Middle St. Johns River Basin

© 2007, 2008 St. Johns River Water Management District