© 2024 Central Florida Public Media. All Rights Reserved.
90.7 FM Orlando • 89.5 FM Ocala
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Water Use Declines Even As Population Booms, St. Johns Water District Says

The St. Johns River. Photo courtesy the University of North Florida.
The St. Johns River. Photo courtesy the University of North Florida.

A new report from the St. Johns River Water Management District shows that water use continues to decline, even as the region’s population booms. 

The report shows that water use in 2019 was 9 percent less than the 10-year average, even as the population grew by 11 percent during the decade. 

The water management district cites conservation measures like turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, installing water-efficient appliances and irrigating the lawn less. 

The biggest water users in 2019 were utilities providing water for homes and businesses. Next came agricultural users and last were commercial or industrial users. 

More than half of the region’s wastewater was recycled as reclaimed water, reserved for non-potable uses like irrigating golf courses.

The St. Johns River Water Management District regulates water use and protects waterways and wetlands in central and north Florida. 

Amy Green covered the environment for WMFE until 2023. Her work included the 2020 podcast DRAINED.