Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) Report on Expansion of Beneficial Use of Reclaimed Water, Stormwater and Excess Surface Water published

December 2015

The DEP has published its report on the expansion of Beneficial Use of Reclaimed Water, Stormwater and Excess Surface Water recently and the report is available online for reading at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/reuse/docs/sb536/SB536-Report.pdf.

Florida customers are encouraged to review the report as it details the importance of water management in years to come. The Executive Summary begins with the following purpose and goals of the study excerpts.

“By 2030, Florida’s population is estimated to reach 23,609,000 – almost a 26% increase over 2010. Fresh water demand is projected to reach 7.7 billion gallons per day by 2030, an additional 1.3 billion gallons over 2010 water use for the state. The Florida Legislature, recognizing the importance of sustainable water supplies to the state’s economy, environment and quality of life, passed SB 536 in the 2014 Legislative Session.

Senate Bill 536 (SB 536) directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a comprehensive study to determine how the use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water could be expanded to assist in meeting future demands.

Specifically, the study report is required to identify:

  • factors that prohibit or complicate the expansion of the beneficial use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water and recommend how those factors can be mitigated or eliminated;
  • measures that would lead to the efficient use of reclaimed water;
  • environmental, engineering, public health, public perception and fiscal constraints of expansion, including utility rate structures for reclaimed water; and
  • areas in the state where traditional water supply sources are limited and the use of reclaimed water, stormwater, or excess surface water for irrigation or other purposes is necessary.

The report is to then recommend permit incentives for entities that substitute reclaimed water for traditional water sources and to determine the feasibility, benefit and cost estimate of the infrastructure needed to construct regional storage features on public or private lands for reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water.”

If you would like to discuss the report further customers can reach Joe Kuhns, Regional Manager at [email protected].

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