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KEY WEST ? Today, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Secretary Michael W. Sole traveled to the Florida Keys to underscore the
importance of a clean and sustainable water supply for Florida. The Secretary
began his two-day trip at the First Annual ?John R. Wehle? Meeting of the
Florida Section of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) in Key West
where he gave opening remarks.
The focus of the annual meeting was on emerging technology and techniques for
better water resource management and updates on important water resource
management projects and legislation.
?We all have a critical role in ensuring a clean, reliable supply of water,
managing floods and protecting citizens from drought ? each of us is responsible
for Florida?s water future,? said Secretary Sole. ?The key to success is working
together.?
During his remarks, Secretary Sole shared facts on Florida?s water
consumption and the need to work together at the local, regional and state
levels:
? In 2005, Floridians used an estimated 6.9 billion gallons per day of
freshwater.
? By 2025, this is expected to increase 26 percent, to 8.7 billion
gallons every single day.
? And agriculture is currently the largest user of
fresh water in the state; however, public water supply is projected to become
the largest user in less than two decades.
The state of Florida, through the efforts of DEP and the state?s five water
management districts, has made great strides in protecting water resources, like
putting an end to wastewater outfalls to reduce pollutants in the ocean and
financing the development of alternative water supplies. In addition, DEP
administers its nationally recognized surface water restoration program. The
state also has a strong commitment to supporting water supply and water quality
at the local level, providing financing through the State Revolving Fund (SRF)
for drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure needs. Secretary
Sole emphasized that these efforts will continue to be part of the coordinated
effort that will be required to meet the conservation, diversification and
sustainability of water supply necessary to meet the state?s future water needs.
Other highlights of Secretary Sole?s two-day visit include:
? Tour of
wastewater treatment facilities: On Thursday morning, Secretary Sole
participated in tours of the Key Largo and Little Venice wastewater treatment
facilities. Excessive nutrients in the waters surrounding the Florida Keys have
caused problems in the marine ecosystem such as coral reef degradation.
? City of Marathon: Secretary Sole joined Mayor Mike Cinque celebrating the
award of $10 million in stimulus loan funding for wastewater and stormwater
management. The city will use the money to provide better wastewater treatment
and an innovative stormwater system, reducing nutrients and pathogens in the
nearshore waters of the Florida Keys by eliminating septic tanks, cess pits and
package wastewater treatment plants in a portion of Marathon. The project also
includes a treatment system that will prevent stormwater from discharging
directly into the Atlantic Ocean and the Florida Bay.
? Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: On Friday, Secretary Sole will tour
the Sanctuary?s Eco-Discovery Center. A key aspect of the tour will be the
Aquarius exhibit, a model of the underwater laboratory 60 feet below the water?s
surface on a coral reef ? the exhibit recreates how scientists live and study
during a mission in an underwater habitat. The Eco-Discovery Center features a
number of interactive exhibits including "You Be the Manager" which gives
visitors a better understanding of what is involved in making management
decisions that affect the future of the Keys ecosystem. At the contour map
exhibit visitors can watch the ocean currents swirl by the Keys or see the
locations of lighthouses and historic shipwrecks found in Keys waters.
?The Keys are one of the state?s most treasured and unique ecosystems. Water
quality is vital to protection and sustainability of this ecosystem,? Sole said.
?I look forward to continuing the agency?s initiatives and working with state
and local governments to further this critical mission.?
Recently, Florida received more than $212 million in funding through the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help Florida?s local
governments finance improvements ? $132.3 million for wastewater and stormwater
improvements and $81 million for drinking water improvements. DEP has committed
93% of the money to 48 projects in 43 Florida communities scheduled to receive
ARRA money to build critically needed infrastructure and better provide for
sustainable water resources.
Designated in 1990, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects the
most extensive living coral reef in the United States. This area is managed
under a partnership between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association,
Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission with public involvement facilitated by the Sanctuary
Advisory Council.
The 2,800-square nautical mile Sanctuary surrounds the entire archipelago of
the Florida Keys and includes the waters of the Florida Bay, Gulf of Mexico and
Atlantic Ocean. To further protect the reef system, the State and federal
governments designated the Sanctuary as a ?no discharge zone? in 2001,
prohibiting discharge of sewage from vessels within the designated area.
To learn more about Florida?s water efforts visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/programs/water.htm.
To learn more about AWRA visit www.awra.org. |
2012 State of Florida