Alternative Water Supply

Alternative Water Supply Projects are defined as:

• saltwater & brackish water
• surface water captured predominately during wet-weather flows
• sources made available through the addition of new storage capacity
• reclaimed water
• stormwater (for use by a consumptive use permittee)
• any other source designated as nontraditional in a regional water supply plan

Precedent-setting law promotes sustainability

To address the challenge of ensuring the state's water supply, the 2005 Florida Legislature enacted the Water Protection and Sustainability Program.  The precedent-setting law encourages cooperation between municipalities, counties, and the state's five water management districts in the protection and development of water supplies.  More specifically, the law requires the regional water supply planning function of water management districts to promote alternative water supply projects - for example tapping reclaimed and stormwater - both accommodate growth and to reduce the use of traditional ground and surface water supplies, such as aquifers and lakes. 

Funding for alternative water supply projects

The South Florida Water Management District administers funds through the Alternative Water Supply Funding Program. Cities, utilities, homeowners associations, community development districts, and other water users and suppliers can apply for up to 40% of project construction costs under the new program. See the "Funding Assistance" button in the left menu to learn more about the program.

NOTE: Alternative Water Supply Projects do not include Water Conservation Projects. Information on the SFWMD Water SIP Grant my be found at the Water Conservation Funding "WaterSIP" Web site.