CFWI Projects Taking Shape Throughout Region

BARTOW — Drilling more than half a mile below ground to find new sources of water in the Lower Florida aquifer (LFA).

Finding new ways to reuse reclaimed water.

Combining stormwater and reclaimed water to build a sustainable supply.

These are some of the innovative projects the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) is developing to meet the growing water needs of the five-county Central Florida region while also protecting the region’s water resources. Water experts project the region will need an additional 300 million gallons of water per day by 2035. Only about 50 mgd will be available from traditional sources without harming the water and related natural resources like wetlands and lakes.

“We have to be creative and collaborative if we want to ensure that our citizens have the water they need and that our natural resources, which define our quality of life, are protected,” said Brian Armstrong, Southwest Florida Water Management District executive director.

“By working together on alternative water supply projects that benefit the CFWI region we help extend our future water supply,” said St. Johns River Water Management Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “It’s through this type of collaboration we can ensure residents and our natural resources have the water needed to thrive in the years to come.”

“It is very encouraging to see this region’s water supply planning now being implemented in projects underway and on the horizon,” said Dan O’Keefe, South Florida Water Management District Governing Board chairman.