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— Water-Use —

How do Floridians use water?

There are two basic ways in which we use water:

1. In-stream uses, such as, transportation, fisheries, wildlife, recreation, and waste disposal, take place with the water remaining in its natural setting, "in the stream."

2. Withdrawal uses, such as thermal power generation, mineral extraction, irrigation, manufacturing, and municipal use, remove water from its natural setting for a period of time and for a particular use, and eventually return all or part of it to the source. The difference between the amount of water withdrawn and water returned to the source is water "consumed" (for example, by evaporating and not returning to the local source).

Total freshwater use in Florida in 1995 has been estimated by USGS to be 7,215 MGD (Table 1) which represents a 28% increase since 1970. Public water supply (2,065 MGD) and agricultural irrigation (3,244 MGD) represent the largest individual uses of freshwater in Florida. Other use categories include domestic self-supplied water, commercial/industrial uses, recreational irrigation, and power generation.

Table 1. Freshwater Withdrawals by Use Category in Millions of Gallons Per Day (MGD) , 1970 - 1995.
 

Source: 1997 Florida Statistical Abstract, Table 8.40, P.265.

How much of Florida's land is irrigated?

Despite an annual rainfall of over 55 inches per year, the amount of land being irrigated in Florida has steadily increased each year. In 1990, 2,150,000 acres (about 6%) of the state's total land area was irrigated. Citrus, pasture, and sugar cane consumed the most of the water in these areas.  The low moisture holding capacity of Florida's sandy soils, together with demands for crop intensification and uneven rainfall patterns, has created the need for extensive irrigation for crops including citrus, sugarcane, ornamentals and vegetables. For information on the irrigation systems used in Florida, go to the page on irrigation.

How important is water in the production of electrical energy from coal or nuclear fuel?

After the fuel itself, water is the most important input in large-scale thermal power production. Production of l kilowatt-hour of electricity requires 37 gallons of water for fossil fuel plants and 54 gallons for nuclear power plants for condensing cooling purposes. Large amounts are required in the condensing and cooling phase. It is important to recognize however that, much of the water used in these processes is saline.

How does the water that we use in our home get there?

Groundwater is the source of drinking water for 95% of Florida residents; the rest is from lakes and rivers. In cities, water is distributed through a series of pipes connected to a municipal water supply system. In rural areas, it is obtained from individual homeowner wells. Water supply systems typically have intake, treatment, storage, and distribution components. There are many different treatment types, depending upon the characteristics of the source water. Likewise, the storage and distribution systems vary greatly between municipalities, depending upon the unique characteristics of each city or town.

Rural residents usually have individual groundwater supplies. Wells must be carefully prepared and maintained to prevent pollution.

Why do we have to pay to use water?

First, water is a managed, government-owned resource with license and administrative fees attached. Second, water supplies usually have to be pumped, stored, moved and treated to make water available and safe for use -- and then have to be taken away after discharge. All of these services cost money.

What is water conservation?

Water conservation activities are essentially designed to do two things: (1) to reduce the absolute amounts of water we use (less water per person or given product or service); and/or (2) to reduce the rate (using water only when we need it) at which we use water in our daily lives - either at home, at work, in business or in industry. In all cases, the goal of water conservation is to use our water resources more efficiently. Water conservation allows us to do the same task or job, but with much less water.

Why is water conservation important in Florida?

Although Florida is blessed with copious rainfall and productive, high-yield aquifers it also has a rapidly growing population which increases the demand for water.  The population of Florida increased by 7.4 million people (110 percent) between 1970 and 1995. Public water supply use has increased 134% from 1970 to 1995 and agricultural irrigation use has increased 54% during that same period.

Currently available water exceeds needs when considered state-wide. However, water shortages have occurred in some coastal cities and counties due to excess consumption at a local level. Projected population growth (for the years 2000-2010) in Dade (221,500 persons), Palm Beach (203,200 persons), Broward (194,700 persons), Orange (175,200 persons) and Hillsborough (120,500) will be directly competing with the agricultural sector for water. These are major agricultural production areas, especially for winter vegetables.

Water conservation will help us meet the needs for water now and in the future without having to invest in more expensive sources of a new supply

How can water conservation be implemented?

There are many water saving opportunities available to consumers, industry and governments. Generally, three groups of actions are important - physical measures, economic measures and social measures. Physical measures refer to alterations that can be made to water using equipment or processes. Domestic examples include the use of low-flow shower heads, water conserving toilets, laundry facilities that recycle previously-used water, and the implementation of universal water metering in communities. Industrial examples include the installation of water recycling equipment such as cooling towers, and process changes that lower water use. Economic measures refer to means of altering the ways in which users pay for the right to use water. Examples include revisions to municipal water rates to assure full cost recovery, water charges based on quantities used, and implementation of volume-based charges for self-supplied industries. Social measures refer to broad social policies and actions designed to lower water usage. Examples include revisions to plumbing codes, legal restrictions on water use during drought periods and campaigns to inform the public about the importance of water.

What are the benefits of conservation?

In addition to "stretching" available water supplies to meet increasing demands, water conservation has distinct economic advantages. For example, use of water saving shower heads can not only save the homeowner the cost of the water itself but also save in water heating costs. Furthermore, conservation retrofitting of an existing building could generate benefits ranging between 15 and 20 times the costs incurred presently. Finally, water conservation lessens the demands made on a vital natural resource, thereby contributing to the sustainability of Florida's environment.