Solutions Planning
Purple piping is installed to extend a reclaimed water line.
The Central Florida Water Initiative’s (CFWI) primary focus is to provide for more effective water resource planning, development, and management procedures. The Solutions Planning Team (SPT) built upon the results of the 2015 CFWI planning process and addressed future steps toward meeting the water supply needs of the region.
Alternative and nontraditional sources of water will be needed to help meet projected water supply demands in the CFWI planning area. The SPT further developed strategies and potential projects, including regional alternative and nontraditional water supplies, conservation options, and optimization of existing groundwater.
The final work product of the SPT is the CFWI 2035 Water Resources Protection and Water Supply Strategies Plan, which was incorporated into the 2015 CFWI Regional Water Supply Plan; approved in November 2015. The SPT provided information to further develop specific regional water supply projects through partnerships with water users including potential sources of water, project cost estimates, feasibility and permittability analysis, identification of governance structure options and any potential prevention and recovery needs.
Water captured in stormwater ponds can be used as a source of water for irrigation.
Several subteams were involved in the SPT process, including:
- Surface water (dispersed storage and reservoirs)
- Groundwater
- Reclaimed water
- Conservation and other management strategies (agriculture and urban landscape)
- Recovery/prevention projects
- Other (storm water, etc.)
Tasks
The SPT’s tasks and scope of work included:
- Reviewing the regional alternatives identified in the 2015 CFWI Regional Water Supply Plan
- Identifying the largest water supply deficits and considering the timing of the needs
- Developing potential water supply and conservation project options identified in the 2015 CFWI Regional Water Supply Plan or other project options developed by the subteams
Construction at a water supply development project.
- Identifying potential partnerships to encourage regional interconnects and maximize economies of scale and efficiencies
- Identifying potential need for recovery and prevention in coordination with other activities
- Developing a Comprehensive Water Resource Monitoring and Assessment Program in conjunction with the Data Monitoring and Investigation Team
- Assisting in conducting workshops and public meetings for the CFWI 2035 Water Resources Protection and Water Supply Strategies Plan
Detailed information on the STP’s results can be found in the 2015 CFWI Regional Water Supply Plan Appendices to Volume II.
The SPT was composed of senior management staff from St. Johns River Water Management District, Southwest Florida Water Management District, South Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and public water supply utilities, agricultural landowners, environmental groups, regional leaders and business representatives. The SPT worked under the guidance of the Steering Committee and the Management Oversight Committee.