By CASSIDY HAMPTON
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board in December voted to approve the 2025 Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP), providing a framework for future water management decisions and demonstrating how growing water demands can be met through 2045.
Using a combination of alternative water sources, fresh groundwater and water conservation measures, the RWSP identifies sufficient water supplies to meet the growing needs of the 16-county area. District staff project that the population within the District’s boundaries will reach 7.8 million people by 2045, a nearly 27 percent increase from 2020. Additionally, water demands for all use sectors are projected to increase a combined 215 million gallons per day (mgd), from 1,093 mgd in 2020 to 1,308 mgd in 2045.
“The 2025 Regional Water Supply Plan is a clear, science-based roadmap for ensuring sustainable water supplies as our region grows,” said Jay Hoecker, District Water Resources Bureau Chief. “Its completion reflects the dedication and technical expertise of approximately 50 District staff, whose thorough analysis and collaboration with partners over three years have produced a plan that will guide responsible water management out into the future.”
The District’s RWSP is divided into four planning regions (Heartland, Northern, Southern and Tampa Bay). The RWSP is an assessment of projected water demands and potential sources of water to meet those demands for the next 20 years. Ultimately, the 2025 RWSP concludes that, using a combination of alternative water sources, water conservation measures and fresh groundwater, water supply demands for all use sectors can be met through 2045 while protecting and restoring natural systems.
Updated every five years in accordance with Section 373.709, Florida Statutes, the RWSP includes water demand projections for a 20-year planning horizon and identifies strategies to ensure reliable water supplies while protecting natural systems. The District employs a collaborative, transparent planning process with stakeholders. This includes coordination with water supply utilities on projected population growth, future water demands and identification of water supply project options to meet those demands.
District staff project water demands for the following sectors for each county in the District: public supply, agriculture, industrial/commercial, mining/dewatering, power generation and landscape/recreation. The RWSP also evaluated potential sources of water to meet these increased demands, including fresh and brackish groundwater, surface water, stormwater, reclaimed water, seawater and conservation. Aquifer storage and recovery is also discussed in the plan as a storage option with great potential to maximize the use of surface water, stormwater and reclaimed water. Aquifer recharge is discussed as a method to directly or indirectly increase water supply, restore aquifer levels and manage saltwater intrusion.
Nearly 671 mgd of potential additional water availability was identified within the District through 2045, which includes an estimated 53 mgd in projected public supply water conservation savings. When compared to the projected 2045 additional demand of 215 mgd, staff concluded that available water supplies and conservation measures are sufficient to meet the 2045 projected demands.
Water demand will be met differently in each of the District’s four planning regions, based on unique features of each. As part of the RWSP, the District identified water supply options from which water users in each planning region can choose to meet their individual needs. These options are not necessarily the District’s preferred options, but are provided as reasonable concepts that water users in the region may pursue in their water supply planning.
Where applicable, water supply options developed through regional planning efforts conducted by the Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority, Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, Polk Regional Water Cooperative and Tampa Bay Water are incorporated into the RWSP for each planning region. A variety of project options were identified, which could provide approximately 125 mgd of water supply Districtwide. Several projects are already under development with District funding assistance, with these projects estimated to provide 43 mgd upon completion.
The Public Draft 2025 RWSP was presented to the District’s Governing Board in May 2025, with staff hosting subsequent online workshops to solicit input from stakeholders and the public. Staff incorporated comments and feedback before the Governing Board approved the plan in December.
For more information on the 2025 RWSP, visit WaterMatters.org/RWSP.
Cassidy Hampton is Environmental Project Manager 2, Southwest Florida Water Management District
Enter your username and password
to access premium features.
Don’t have an account? Join the community.
Subscribe today to receive our weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.