IMAGE: This river in Florida was replaced by grass because of a drought.

To consume half a billion gallons of water a day but still need more is simply not sustainable. From My Way News:

North Florida cities such as Jacksonville, St. Johns County and a river advocacy group all say the plan would destroy the delicate balance of saltwater and freshwater needed to preserve critical biological habitat and submerged vegetation.

The St. Johns River Water Management District, which developed the proposal, said it will consider a new two-year, $1.8 million plan to study its possible effects.

But John Cirello, director of environmental services for Seminole County near Orlando in central Florida, said he does not understand north Florida’s opposition.

“I think they are misled,” he said.

The district developed the proposal after determining that areas of central Florida could reach their groundwater limits within five years, and that by 2025 it will need 200 million gallons of water a day from alternative sources.

Partly because of the fast growth of central Florida, half a billion gallons of water are being pumped out of the deep underground Floridan aquifer each day.

—
Photo source for attribution. The author or licensor of this image does not endorse me or my work and their image is protected under an attribution license.