The Lower East Coast Planning Area has a growing population and limited freshwater resources. Because freshwater resources are limited, the 2012 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Update focuses on other water supply sources, such as reverse osmosis to treat brackish groundwater, reclaimed water, storage options, seasonal surface water and water conservation to address future demands.

The goal of the water supply planning process is to determine the region's water needs and develop sound, workable solutions for those needs. The SFWMD works closely with local government officials, water utilities, environmental interests, community decision-makers and major water users to ensure water supply development projects are in place or proposed to meet the region's diverse future water needs.