A consumptive water use permit allows the holder to withdraw a specified amount of water from the ground (aquifers) or a canal, lake or river (surface water) for reasonable-beneficial uses. The water can be used for public supply (drinking water), agricultural and nursery plant irrigation, golf course irrigation, commercial use, dewatering/mining activities and power. Water uses not covered by these permits include domestic uses, home irrigation and water used for fire fighting.
Consumptive water use permits require water conservation to prevent wasteful uses, such as the reuse of reclaimed water (treated wastewater). The permits also set limits on how much water can be withdrawn at each location in the aquifer or from surface water. These limits protect existing residents' water supplies and protect aquifers from saltwater intrusion damage, and surface water sources from drying up.
Once a consumptive water use permit is issued by the District, SFWMD water use compliance staff monitor the use of water to make sure the permit's limiting conditions are met. Scientists and environmental analysts evaluate pumpage and monitoring data (chlorides, water levels, turbidity, etc.), and other compliance reports such as calibrations, wetland monitoring, unaccounted for water loss and ten-year compliance, and respond to instances of non-compliance. On-location site inspections also help determine compliance and document project activities, withdrawal facilities, and unpermitted uses of water.
On-Line Reporting Available
Water use compliance reports can be submitted online at www.sfwmd.gov/ePermitting. Create an ePermitting account, or login if you already have an account, and click on 'Water Use' under 'eCompliance' to get started.
Types of Consumptive Water Use Permits
The South Florida Water Management District issues general and individual consumptive water use permits. Issues addressed during the application evaluation process are:
Is the proposed use reasonable and beneficial as defined in Section 373.019 of the Florida Statutes?
Will it interfere with other water users in the vicinity?
Is it consistent with the public interest (including harm to the environment, saltwater intrusion, wetlands, movement of pollution, etc.)?
Consumptive water use permits are issued for a fixed period of time, and must be renewed prior to the expiration date in order to continue using water.
SFWMD Headquarters Building B-1 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Phone: (561) 682-6736 Fax: (561) 682-6896 or Okeechobee Service Center 205 North Parrott Avenue Suite 201 Okeechobee, FL 34972 Phone: (863) 462-5260 Fax: (863) 462-5269
SFWMD Headquarters Building B-1 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Phone: (561) 682-6736 Fax: (561) 682-6896 or Okeechobee Service Center 205 North Parrott Avenue Suite 201 Okeechobee, FL 34972 Phone: (863) 462-5260 Fax: (863) 462-5269
Monthly Regulatory Meetings
Changes in the Permit Review Process
A 2009 amendment to Chapter 373 of the Florida Statutes delegates to executive directors at the state's five water management districts the authority to approve permit applications related to water resources and the environment. To ensure continuing public involvement, the South Florida Water Management District is strengthening its commitment to transparency and open government by increasing public access to its permitting process via Monthly Regulatory Meetings held for the public.
Public Meetings
All meetings start at 10 a.m. at SFWMD Headquarters in the Storch Room
If you wish to participate in Public Meetings to discuss Regulatory Matters but cannot attend them in West Palm Beach, you can interact and provide comments during video-conferences at these service centers.
Meetings will also be webcast. You may also send comments to the District about applications for Consumptive Use Permits and Environmental Resource Permits through ePermitting.
Written comments can be mailed to: South Florida Water Management District Regulation - MSC 9610 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406
The WORD versions of these forms are locked to maintain the integrity of the official document. PDF versions of the forms are also included.
To use the WORD forms, follow these steps:
Save "word format" documents to your hard drive by RIGHT CLICKING on the document and choosing "SAVE TARGET AS."
When the document opens, it should prompt you to disable or enable macros. Choose "Disable Macros".
If you do not see the prompt described above, you may want to change your Macro Security Settings by clicking on: Tools, Macros, Security; then set it to low.
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