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Florida’s Water Challenge. Presentation for House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee February 20 th , 2013 By Florida Water Advocates. “There has never been a more critical time to invest in our essential water infrastructure.” Jeff Eger, Executive Director
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Florida’s Water Challenge Presentation for House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee February 20th, 2013 By Florida Water Advocates
“There has never been a more critical time to invest in our essential water infrastructure.” Jeff Eger, Executive Director Water Environment Federation US Conference of Mayors January 22, 2013
A Recognized National Crisis: • AWWA "Buried No Longer: Confronting America's Infrastructure Crisis" Report -http://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/files/legreg/documents/BuriedNoLonger.pdf • National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) and U.S. Chamber of Commerce effort on water infrastructure, "Water is Your Business“ -http://waterisyourbusiness.org • American Society of Civil Engineers report on the future economic costs of failing to act on infrastructure needs - http://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/Infrastructure/Failure_to_Act/Failure_to_Act_Report.pdf • Congressional Research Service - Water Infrastructure Needs and Investment: Review and Analysis of Key Issues - http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL31116.pdf • Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment | Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey | US EPA - http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/drinkingwater/dwns/index.cfm
Florida’s Water Resources Priorities • Protecting State’s economy & quality of life. • Safeguarding fragile environments (rivers, wetlands, lakes, springs & estuaries) that drive our tourism and recreational industries. • Ensuring adequate supplies to support Florida’s agriculture & economic growth. • Developing alternative supplies of water to support safe growth. • Restoring our already impacted natural systems. • Repairing or replacing aging infrastructure.
Florida Faces A Daunting Challenge • $24.09 Billion in new drinking water and wastewater infrastructure by 2020.(FWEA: 9/2012) • $1.0 to $3.2 Billion per year to implement EPA Numeric Nutrient Criteria Rules.(FWQC / CardnoEntrix: 11/2010) • $7.2 Billion to repair or replace aging transmission and distribution water and wastewater infrastructure over next 20 years. (EPA Report to Congress 2007) • $750 million dollars are needed over the next 10 years for capital improvements and long term maintenance programs to support flood control.(ASCE: 10/2012)
Florida Water Protection and Sustainability Program • Enacted in 2005 (SB 444) with universal support (Chs. 403.890 & 373.707, f.s.) • Recurring $100 Million for: • Alternative Water Supply Development • Development and Implementation of TMDLs • Surface Water Improvement Project Support • Small Disadvantaged Community Wastewater Projects.
EPA proposes strict pollution rules for Florida – South Florida “The proposal could cost each Florida household an estimated $44 to $108 per year for sewage plant upgrades, stormwater management and septic improvements, according to an EPA analysis.” Palm Beach Post February 16, 2013
WATER: It is Our Business “ I don’t want to reach a day where a Texas company announces it’s moving to Florida or Ohio because of water issues.” Joe Straus Speaker Texas House of Representatives January 2013
QUESTIONS? Floridawateradvocates.com