1000 Friends of Florida, the University of Florida GeoPlan Center and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services partnered to produce Water 2070 in 2016. This ground-breaking project has revealed that if we keep developing the way we do now, by 2070 development-related water demand will more than double. The bottom line is that we as citizens need to dramatically increase personal water conservation and local governments should work to significantly lessen the impact of new development on Florida’s lands and waters.

Water 2070 reveals that development-related water demand will be the major driver of increased future water consumption in Florida. If we don’t change the way we develop land and consume water, this demand will more than double by 2070. The combination of more compact development patterns and a modest 20% increase in water conservation has the potential to reduce water use by more than a quarter in 2070. Already there are existing water supply shortages in some areas of the state. Promoting more compact development and significantly increasing water conservation efforts is essential if Florida is to accommodate 15 million more residents, maintain its agricultural productivity, and protect natural systems in 2070.

Citizens can help. Use Florida-Friendly Landscaping (TM) and other measures to seek or reduce or eliminate landscaping water use, lessen the need for irrigation by using the right plants in the right location and reduce stormwater runoff. If an irrigation system is used, make sure it is designed and calibrated for water efficiency. Use Florida Water Star certified appliances and more.

Water 2070 reveals that if Florida continues with current development patterns and water use, development-related water demand will more than double by 2070. While more compact development patterns and modest water conservation will reduce 2070 water demand by 27%, existing water shortages in many areas of the state reinforce that we must do even better.

The single most effective strategy to reduce water demand in Florida is for individuals to significantly reduce the amount of water used for landscape irrigation. Not only does this conserve water, but it also will result in savings to homeowners through reduced water bills. Additionally, if enough people conserve water, community infrastructure costs associated with supplying water and addressing sewage and stormwater can be significantly reduced, resulting in tax savings. Increasing public and personal conservation efforts is essential.

Expand Public Water Conservation Efforts
• Increase funding and outreach for the Florida Water Star and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ programs to promote greater water conservation in new and existing development
• Require Florida Friendly Landscaping™, manual irrigation, soil moisture sensors, or comparable water conservation technology for all new development
• Require permitted water users to submit goal-based water conservation plans as part of the permit approval process, and monitor the amount of groundwater used by major users
• Establish conservation rate structures that incentivize lower levels of water consumption
• Partner with developers and local governments to establish conservation goals, water budgets and water use monitoring strategies prior to the approval of new development
• Update the Florida Building Code to require indoor and outdoor water efficiency standards for new construction and major remodeling
• Adopt registration and training standards for irrigation professionals
• Construct and incentivize the use of reclaimed water facilities

Reduce Personal Water Use
• Use Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and other measures to reduce or eliminate landscaping water use, and seek formal Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ recognition
• Lessen the need for irrigation by using the right plants in the right locations, grouping them according to water needs, and using rain barrels or cisterns to capture rainwater for irrigation
• Reduce stormwater runoff through mulching plant beds, using porous surfaces for patios, walkways and driveways, and creating swales or low areas to hold and filter water on your property
• Do not water if it has rained in the last 24 hours or if rain is forecast in the next 24 hours
• If an automated irrigation system is used, ensure that it is designed and operated to meet strict water conservation criteria including drip systems, soil moisture sensors, automatic rain shutoff sensors and/or other technology to significantly reduce water use
• Make sure the irrigation system is calibrated correctly and check it regularly for breaks and head alignment
• Select Florida Water Star certified properties when purchasing a new home, and follow Water Star guidelines when remodeling an existing home
• Use Water-Sense labeled high-efficiency appliances to significantly reduce indoor water consumption