EcoWatch: Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink
“Anything else you’re interested in is not going to happen if you can’t breathe the air and drink the water. Don’t sit this one out. Do something. You are not here by accident of fate, alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet.”
Carl Sagan, American astronomer and planetary scientist
We are facing a drastic drinking water shortage in Florida, even though Florida has, seemingly, plentiful fresh water.
Recently an article came across my desk from Florida Watch and Florida Tax Watch, entitled “Could Florida Experience a Significant Water Supply Shortage by 2025?” It states that Florida could experience a water supply shortage “as early as next year (2025), and it is expected to increase in severity through 2040.” It goes on to say that with an estimated population of 26.4 million people by 2040, this projected shortage “will have an even larger impact on Florida households and the economy if it is not properly addressed.”
Consider that every day that goes by, Florida gains nearly 1,000 new permanent residents that are projected to use 111,000 gallons of water. And that will be a serious problem.
Also, consider that findings from the U.N. World Water Development Report of 2023 revealed that two billion people (26 percent of the population) lack safe drinking water, while 3.6 billion (46 percent) lack access to safely managed sanitation. Now the water crisis has hit home. We are not immune to this disaster.
The average Floridian is hardly aware of the serious consequences ahead for all Floridians, especially those that let sprinklers run even if it’s raining, water on off days, cut down or maim Florida’s natural landscape, or replace them with guzzling exotic plants that need excessive watering every day.
Too many residents, newbies and many locals don’t practice or are unaware of the water shortage in Florida, and consequently don’t practice water conservation in their daily lives.
And there really has not been any hard warning to residents to conserve water. However, their lack of conservation may hit them with surprising facts and figures. Reports show that a drinking water shortage could begin as early as 2025.
Why is Florida’s drinking water threatened? Consider the following:
• Florida’s aquifers are being drained by too many people, at a rate that exceeds the replenishment rate. That water is often taken from local aquifers, either by utilities or homeowners with wells.
• Rising temperatures and variations in rainfall could lead to more droughts and heat waves, which could limit the amount of water that reaches the aquifers.
• Sea levels along the Florida coast have already risen eight inches since 1950 and are projected to rise another 10 to 12 inches by 2050. This could lead to saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers and make coastal areas more prone to flooding.
• Growing Population. Florida is one of the fastest-growing states, with an estimated 1,000 people moving there each day. This puts more demand on the state’s water supply.
• Excessive Public Water Demand. The demand for water in Florida is high.
Florida’s drinking water comes from aquifers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands. The Everglades are an important ecosystem that provides drinking water for millions of Floridians. Just recently, plans to mine in the Everglades were stopped.
All Floridians must step up to avoid a coming disaster of a lack of drinking water in Florida. What can you do? Many simple ways are listed below from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
• Inside, check faucets and pipes for leaks. A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. Large leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.
• Use your dishwasher and washing machine only for full loads. When possible, avoid washing during heavy downpours.
• Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units. The units that require a septic tank can lead to maintenance problems.
• Outside, add mulch to reduce evaporation. Mulching reduces water needed in a garden by as much as 50 percent. It also has the added benefit of preventing weed growth, deterring pests, stabilizing soil temperature, and as it decomposes, providing nutrients to the soil.
• Harvest rain to water flower beds, herb gardens, and potted plants. Rain is free, and it’s beneficial for plants because rain does not contain hard minerals.
• Choose native plants that are adapted to our area and need less water.
• Check hose and sprinkler connections for leaks. A drop wasted each second can add up to a couple of gallons each day.
• Do not water the lawn in rainy weather.
Additional ways to conserve water include installing water-saving fixtures: Replace toilets with low-flush models and install aerators on faucets. Take shorter showers. Reducing your shower time by one minute can save over 500 gallons of water per year. And turn off water when not in use. Turn off water while brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or scrubbing your hands.
All of the above will help to conserve Florida’s precious drinking water supply.
Lastly, Florida Watch asks that you contact Gov. Ron DeSantis to start addressing this critical water supply crisis before it gets worse and Floridians are not left with enough clean water. Make a call today and remind him to take measures to protect Florida’s drinking water.
email: gaiasvigil@gmail.com
