Water management districts seek public comment on water supply plan

Water supply planning helps to ensure sustainable water supplies are available to meet both existing and future needs while sustaining water resources and related natural systems.

PALATKA, Fla., Sept. 13, 2023 — After months of gathering data, soliciting project ideas, and coordinating with neighboring water management districts and stakeholders, a draft update to the North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership water supply plan is now ready for review and public comment.

The North Florida Regional Water Supply Planning area covers 14 counties and is a direct result of collaboration among the St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, local governments, public supply utilities, environmental advocates, and other interested stakeholders.

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to be a part of the planning process, the water management districts are hosting two public workshops where staff will provide a brief presentation and an opportunity for stakeholders to view displays, ask questions, and engage with staff.

The workshops can be attended in person or viewed online by webinar. The workshops will begin with an in-person posterboard session (poster display and opportunity for in-person attendees to ask questions) followed by an online presentation. During the workshops, any member of the public attending in-person can provide verbal comments on the draft water supply plan. Written comments can be submitted at any time through Oct. 6, 2023.

To view the draft plan and submit written comments online, visit this link.

The public comment form and workshops are just the latest in the process to ensure stakeholders have the chance to be a part of the planning process. To compile this latest update, the Districts held technical workshops in November 2021 and reviewed comments on the scientific methods used to update population and water demand projections. In November 2022, the Districts held constraint assessment workshops and reviewed comments on the methods and results used to determine the effects of the plan on water users and related natural systems. In spring 2023, the Districts solicited water supply project options which are incorporated in the updated draft.

To learn more about the water supply planning process, visit www.sjrwmd.com/water-supply/planning.