CFWI Focuses on Saving Water Outdoors

Aug. 2, 2017

West Palm Beach, FL – Ensuring that central Florida has the water it needs is at the core of the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI). Three water management districts – the St. Johns River, South Florida and Southwest Florida – are finding new sources and new ways, through the CFWI, to maintain and build the area's water supply, while protecting the area's natural resources. Practicing water conservation at home is also critical to helping ensure adequate water supply in the community with outdoor irrigation a great water-saving potential.

"Approximately half of all potable water is used for outdoor irrigation," according to Dan O'Keefe, South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Chairman. "Much of this use is more than what is required to sustain a healthy residential landscape."

"Water conservation is a critical strategy to meet our water supply needs – it's the cornerstone of Florida's water sustainability," said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. "While new technologies and strategies are important to meet the water needs of our state, using water efficiently year-round, both indoors and outdoors, helps protect the health of the Floridan aquifer system and ensures that fresh, drinkable groundwater is available for years to come."

"Conservation is really about not wasting water. And it's easy to do," said Brian Armstrong, Southwest Florida Water Management District executive director. "We have a lot of simple tips about conservation on our website at WaterMatters.org/conservation. I encourage everyone to do their part to conserve."

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