Florida's water supply is at high risk of experiencing shortages for next year

The water resources of Florida are strained by the state's rapid growth and development, which could lead to potential shortages in the near future, as early as next year, according to Florida Taxwatch.

The Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research, EDR, estimated that Florida will need to allocate at least $1.7 billion for critical infrastructure projects through 2040 to avoid a significant water supply shortage. That price tag does not include the cost for restoration plans, such as Everglades Restoration, and certain infrastructure projects to manage stormwater and wastewater.

In its public commentary for the report, Florida Taxwatch labeled the selection process for funding water projects as "disjointed and inconsistent." The organization went on to say it identified 281 projects, mounting up $410.3 million, in the state's 2024-25 budget as "budget turkeys" or "appropriations [that] often serve limited areas, are not core state functions, or circumvent competitive bidding and oversight."

"These 281 member projects did not go through one of the proper channels to receive funding. This circumvention of the budgeting process shows the need for a more comprehensive planning process to address these selection and funding issues," the document read.

The commentary, published by Florida Taxwatch, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog, cites EDR's 2024 Annual Assessment of Florida's Water Resources: Supply and Demand, published in June 2024.

The EDR report pointed out that while agriculture in Florida is forecasted to increase demand 0.55% over the next 20-year period, it is public supply that is pumping up the most, accounting for more than half of the growth. That includes household and community purposes, as well as commercial, industrial, institutional, mining, power generation, and recreational landscaping uses.

"Florida's waters are the state's most basic and valued resource, providing an array of benefits crucial to existence, quality of life, and the economy," the report said. "The management, protection, and restoration of Florida's surface water and groundwater require a coordinated effort among various state agencies, water management districts, public and private utilities, local governments, and other stakeholders."

Florida Taxwatch made a call for the Department of Environmental Protection and five water management districts, who manage Florida's water resources, to "balance water supply and demand and ensure that the state's finite water resources are allocated appropriately."