North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership

Protection of natural resources and cost-effective, sustainable water supplies in the St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts through collaborative planning, scientific-tool development and other partnership efforts

Go to St. Johns River Water Management District website.

Go to Suwannee River Water Management District website.

Go to Florida Department of Environmental Protection website.

Overview

Looking along the Santa Fe River.

Ensuring sustainable water supplies and protecting north Florida’s waterways and natural systems is a collaborative effort among the water management districts, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), local elected officials and area stakeholders.

Water managers have enhanced communications and improved coordination of programs to protect the shared resources of the Floridan aquifer system. Specifically, the water management districts are working closely together on regulatory programs in north Florida, sharing data and technology, developing joint water resource protection strategies, and focusing more attention on communication with stakeholders across district boundaries.

Working together and exchanging scientific data and factual information is critical to an efficient, productive and successful effort. The North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership seeks to do this in an open, public process involving both water management districts, DEP, local governments, concerned residents and other stakeholders throughout the region.

Formalizing the commitment to work together

In September 2011, the St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts and DEP entered into an agreement that formalizes the coordination of water resource management in north Florida.

Looking along the Suwannee River.

Activities and current accomplishments include:

Engaging a Stakeholder Committee
The Stakeholder Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives of the various groups, organizations and entities that have an interest in the region’s water supply. The committee is an advisory body to the districts and DEP, helping to ensure that all interests are considered and that the process is inclusive.
Developing a shared tool to predict and assess water resource impacts
By using a common model, water managers can develop more consistent information for water supply planning and water use permitting decisions. The water management districts, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and a stakeholder steering and technical team are developing a North Florida-Southeast Georgia Regional (NFSEG) Groundwater Flow Model that encompasses several counties in north Florida and southeast Georgia. The science-based NFSEG model will be used to better predict and assess potential water resource impacts.

Residents and visitors enjoy Ichetucknee Springs.

Studying the regional groundwater decline in north Florida
The two water management districts will jointly conduct a study to evaluate the regional groundwater decline in the Upper Floridan aquifer. The districts are engaging the National Research Council (NRC) to review components of the work. The NRC is the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences, which is among the nation’s premier scientific organizations and involves some of the country’s most highly respected scientists.
Creating consistency and coordination in setting minimum flows and levels
The districts are considering a coordinated and consistent approach to setting minimum flows and levels (MFLs). MFLs are water flows and levels for surface water and groundwater designed to ensure that water withdrawals will not cause significant harm to the water resource or the ecology of the area. Currently, water managers and area stakeholders are working collaboratively to develop long-term comprehensive strategies to achieve MFLs in the western Clay-Putnam portion of the St. Johns District. In addition to representatives from the two water management districts, involved stakeholders include elected officials, lake advocates and concerned lakefront homeowners, representatives from state agencies, and water supply utilities.

The districts monitor spring flows and groundwater wells, such as at this monitoring well.

Collecting and sharing science-based data
The districts are working together to collect additional data and fill information gaps in areas where data is limited. Work includes installing new monitor wells at key locations and rehabilitating several existing Suwannee District monitor network wells. In addition, U.S. Geological Survey high-resolution topographic mapping in Bradford, Union, Alachua, Clay and Putnam counties will provide more accurate ground elevation data for the area.
Developing a regional water supply plan
A regional water supply plan will be developed for the North Florida area that will identify:
- Water use demand projections
- Water resource impacts that could occur if future demand were met solely from existing groundwater supplies
- Water conservation opportunities
- Potential water supply development projects that may be needed to supplement groundwater supplies

Related initiatives

In addition to collaborating on projects and initiatives, each district is working on unique efforts that will benefit all of north Florida. Among these:

St. Johns River Water Management District

In the St. Johns District, the North Florida Aquifer Replenishment Initiative is a cooperative effort seeking to protect and maintain regional aquifer levels by capturing significant quantities of water to recharge the Upper Floridan aquifer at strategic locations. Replenishment of the Upper Floridan aquifer would benefit lakes, springs and wetlands and contribute to sustainable water supply for the region. The initiative will be a key component to achieving MFLs in water bodies that are currently not meeting their MFLs or are projected to not meet their MFLs within 20 years. The St. Johns District’s Governing Board on March 13, 2012, approved a pilot aquifer replenishment project in southwest Clay County.

Suwannee River Water Management District

In the Suwannee District, establishment of minimum flows and levels for the Lower Santa Fe, Ichetucknee, and Upper Suwannee Rivers, priority springs and lakes is a vital strategy to determining sustainable water supply for the region. Modernization of the District’s Floridan aquifer system monitoring network will help the District ensure consistent, reliable data that is needed for water management decisions.

Partnership news

Stakeholder representatives on north Florida water supply issues named (May 9, 2012)

Water conservation

Water conservation is a critical component of work to ensuring sustainable water supplies and to help protect north Florida’s waterways and natural systems. It is the simplest and most cost-effective strategy that can involve everyone in the region.

News
- Enhanced water conservation needed during drought (May 8, 2012)
- Choosing the right plants for your yard saves water (April 20, 2012)
- Water conservation is key to reducing drought’s effects (March 29, 2012)
- Water Conservation Month (April) resolutions
- Blog – Consider water-conserving approach to landscapes (March 20, 2012)
Watering restrictions
Water conservation tips
Interactive home water use survey
Florida Water Star^SM water conservation certification program

Upcoming meetings

Upcoming meetings will be posted to this site as they are scheduled.

Past meetings

Levy County Commission on March 20
Baker County Commission on March 19
Dixie County Commission on March 15
Bradford County Commission on March 15
Florida Leaders Organized for Water (FLOW) on March 12
- Presentation
Water Supply Partnership Public Meeting, March 7, 2012, Alachua, Fla.
- Presentation
- View meeting video
Suwannee County Commission on March 6
Gilchrist County Commission on March 5
Taylor County Commission on March 5
Columbia County Commission on March 1
Jefferson County Commission on March 1
Alachua County Commission on Feb. 28
Lafayette County Commission on Feb. 27
Hamilton County Commission on Feb 21
Union County Commission on Feb. 20
- Presentation for the county commission meetings above

Contacts

St. Johns District: Teresa Monson at tmonson@sjrwmd.com or (904) 730-6258
Suwannee District: Vanessa Fultz at VJF@srwmd.org or (386) 362-1001

	Home Stakeholder committee North Florida-Southeast Georgia (NFSEG) regional groundwater flow model Upcoming meetings Minimum flows and levels: SJRWMD Minimum flows and levels: SRWMD Contacts By accessing this site, you agree to accept the terms and conditions of the liability disclaimer. North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership Protection of natural resources and cost-effective, sustainable water supplies in the St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts through collaborative planning, scientific-tool development and other partnership efforts Overview Looking along the Santa Fe River. Ensuring sustainable water supplies and protecting north Florida’s waterways and natural systems is a collaborative effort among the water management districts, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), local elected officials and area stakeholders. Water managers have enhanced communications and improved coordination of programs to protect the shared resources of the Floridan aquifer system. Specifically, the water management districts are working closely together on regulatory programs in north Florida, sharing data and technology, developing joint water resource protection strategies, and focusing more attention on communication with stakeholders across district boundaries. Working together and exchanging scientific data and factual information is critical to an efficient, productive and successful effort. The North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership seeks to do this in an open, public process involving both water management districts, DEP, local governments, concerned residents and other stakeholders throughout the region. Formalizing the commitment to work together In September 2011, the St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts and DEP entered into an agreement that formalizes the coordination of water resource management in north Florida. Looking along the Suwannee River. Activities and current accomplishments include: Engaging a Stakeholder Committee The Stakeholder Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives of the various groups, organizations and entities that have an interest in the region’s water supply. The committee is an advisory body to the districts and DEP, helping to ensure that all interests are considered and that the process is inclusive. Developing a shared tool to predict and assess water resource impacts By using a common model, water managers can develop more consistent information for water supply planning and water use permitting decisions. The water management districts, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and a stakeholder steering and technical team are developing a North Florida-Southeast Georgia Regional (NFSEG) Groundwater Flow Model that encompasses several counties in north Florida and southeast Georgia. The science-based NFSEG model will be used to better predict and assess potential water resource impacts. Residents and visitors enjoy Ichetucknee Springs. Studying the regional groundwater decline in north Florida The two water management districts will jointly conduct a study to evaluate the regional groundwater decline in the Upper Floridan aquifer. The districts are engaging the National Research Council (NRC) to review components of the work. The NRC is the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences, which is among the nation’s premier scientific organizations and involves some of the country’s most highly respected scientists. Creating consistency and coordination in setting minimum flows and levels The districts are considering a coordinated and consistent approach to setting minimum flows and levels (MFLs). MFLs are water flows and levels for surface water and groundwater designed to ensure that water withdrawals will not cause significant harm to the water resource or the ecology of the area. Currently, water managers and area stakeholders are working collaboratively to develop long-term comprehensive strategies to achieve MFLs in the western Clay-Putnam portion of the St. Johns District. In addition to representatives from the two water management districts, involved stakeholders include elected officials, lake advocates and concerned lakefront homeowners, representatives from state agencies, and water supply utilities. The districts monitor spring flows and groundwater wells, such as at this monitoring well. Collecting and sharing science-based data The districts are working together to collect additional data and fill information gaps in areas where data is limited. Work includes installing new monitor wells at key locations and rehabilitating several existing Suwannee District monitor network wells. In addition, U.S. Geological Survey high-resolution topographic mapping in Bradford, Union, Alachua, Clay and Putnam counties will provide more accurate ground elevation data for the area. Developing a regional water supply plan A regional water supply plan will be developed for the North Florida area that will identify: Water use demand projections Water resource impacts that could occur if future demand were met solely from existing groundwater supplies Water conservation opportunities Potential water supply development projects that may be needed to supplement groundwater supplies Related initiatives In addition to collaborating on projects and initiatives, each district is working on unique efforts that will benefit all of north Florida. Among these: St. Johns River Water Management District In the St. Johns District, the North Florida Aquifer Replenishment Initiative is a cooperative effort seeking to protect and maintain regional aquifer levels by capturing significant quantities of water to recharge the Upper Floridan aquifer at strategic locations. Replenishment of the Upper Floridan aquifer would benefit lakes, springs and wetlands and contribute to sustainable water supply for the region. The initiative will be a key component to achieving MFLs in water bodies that are currently not meeting their MFLs or are projected to not meet their MFLs within 20 years. The St. Johns District’s Governing Board on March 13, 2012, approved a pilot aquifer replenishment project in southwest Clay County. Suwannee River Water Management District In the Suwannee District, establishment of minimum flows and levels for the Lower Santa Fe, Ichetucknee, and Upper Suwannee Rivers, priority springs and lakes is a vital strategy to determining sustainable water supply for the region. Modernization of the District’s Floridan aquifer system monitoring network will help the District ensure consistent, reliable data that is needed for water management decisions. Partnership news Stakeholder representatives on north Florida water supply issues named (May 9, 2012) Water conservation Water conservation is a critical component of work to ensuring sustainable water supplies and to help protect north Florida’s waterways and natural systems. It is the simplest and most cost-effective strategy that can involve everyone in the region. News Enhanced water conservation needed during drought (May 8, 2012) Choosing the right plants for your yard saves water (April 20, 2012) Water conservation is key to reducing drought’s effects (March 29, 2012) Water Conservation Month (April) resolutions DEP St. Johns District Suwannee District Blog – Consider water-conserving approach to landscapes (March 20, 2012) Watering restrictions St. Johns District Suwannee District Map of District boundaries Water conservation tips Interactive home water use survey Florida Water Star^SM water conservation certification program Upcoming meetings Upcoming meetings will be posted to this site as they are scheduled. Past meetings Levy County Commission on March 20 Baker County Commission on March 19 Dixie County Commission on March 15 Bradford County Commission on March 15 Florida Leaders Organized for Water (FLOW) on March 12 Presentation Water Supply Partnership Public Meeting, March 7, 2012, Alachua, Fla. Presentation View meeting video Suwannee County Commission on March 6 Gilchrist County Commission on March 5 Taylor County Commission on March 5 Columbia County Commission on March 1 Jefferson County Commission on March 1 Alachua County Commission on Feb. 28 Lafayette County Commission on Feb. 27 Hamilton County Commission on Feb 21 Union County Commission on Feb. 20 Presentation for the county commission meetings above Contacts St. Johns District: Teresa Monson at tmonson@sjrwmd.com or (904) 730-6258 Suwannee District: Vanessa Fultz at VJF@srwmd.org or (386) 362-1001 • • • North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership • • • northfloridawater.com