The South Florida Water Management District (District) is committed to supporting the development of alternative water supplies to help meet the region’s future water needs.
DID YOU KNOW: The District is now accepting applications for cost-share projects to construct and implement alternative water supply projects throughout its 16-county region.
WORKING TOGETHER TO MEET FUTURE WATER NEEDS: This initiative is part of the State of Florida’s continuing efforts to implement cost-effective strategies to conserve its precious water resources while meeting the state's water needs. Partnering with local governments and other entities for implementation of water conservation projects and development of alternative water projects is an important and effective way to help accomplish this goal.
WHY IT MATTERS: The development of alternative water supply projects helps supplement our limited underground water resources and address future demands. By identifying opportunities for water conservation and developing alternative water sources, we can diversify our water supply and reduce the demand on freshwater resources.
MANAGING AND PROTECTING OUR WATER RESOUCES: Thanks to support from the State of Florida, the District is able to assist local governments, public and private water providers, and other entities with construction and/or implementation of alternative water supply and water conservation projects that support or complement the District’s mission. Some of the previously funded projects include:
- Reclaimed water plant expansions and transmission mains
- Reverse osmosis plants
- Brackish water supply wells
- High-efficiency indoor plumbing retrofits
- Irrigation system retrofits in urban and agriculture/nursery settings
LEARN MORE: To be eligible for funding consideration, all local governments applying for a grant must have an adopted irrigation ordinance consistent with the District's year-round Irrigation Rule in place. All local governments must also have an approved Water Supply Facilities Work Plan per statute to be eligible for funding consideration. The deadline to apply is February 26, 2025 at 4 p.m.
Informational webinars will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, and at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Supporting local water projects is an important part of protecting and managing regional water resources. To learn more about the Cooperative Funding Program for alternative water supply and conservation projects, visit SFWMD.gov/coopfunding.