Rennaisance SeaWorld - Orlando
September 6th • 10:00am - 2:30pm

The 3rd Annual Florida Water Forum will once again provide an opportunity for Floridians to hear from Florida’s key policy makers on issues relating to water policy. The Forum has garnered overwhelming recognition by business community leaders, regional and local government officials, and members of the general public — with approximately 180 in attendance last year. Former guest speakers have included Attorney General Bill McCollum, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, State Representatives, Executive Directors of Florida’s Water Management Districts and Gubernatorial Appointees.

THE WATER CRISIS

Florida is at a water crossroads. The state’s three largest urban-economic regions: Tampa Bay, southeast Florida and the greater Orlando area have effectively run out of available groundwater. The three largest water management districts have determined that increased pumping in these regions will result in unacceptable environmental impacts, such as drawdown’s of wetlands and lakes; reduced flows to springs and rivers; and increased risk of saltwater contamination into fresh groundwater resources.

In Tampa, the water authority has already been required to reduce groundwater pumping by 90 million gallons a day. Utilities in southeast Florida have learned that groundwater connected to the regional canal system will be limited to 2006 pumpages. In central Florida, communities face the fact that no additional groundwater will be available beyond 2013 demands. And this groundwater crisis is not limited to major metropolitan areas. Even tiny Flagler County has been directed to pursue desalination of ocean water for its future water supply.

The growing scarcity of water supplies has already resulted in acrimonious and expensive litigation among local governments; water management district permit challenges; restrictions on new economic development; and in some areas, a continued decline in natural resources. Ultimately, an unstable water future will continue to wreak havoc on Florida’s economy and environment.