Released on = April 4, 2007, 1:22 pm

Press Release Author = Randy Smith

Industry =

Press Release Summary = The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) today
formalized a groundbreaking rule that further guarantees water to protect and
restore America\'s Everglades. Known as the Regional Water Availability Rule, this
first-of-its kind requirement prevents water users from tapping the famed River of
Grass for new or additional supplies of water. Setting aside the water in the
Everglades for environmental restoration, permitted users like urban water utilities
along Florida's southeast coast will now have to find alternative sources to supply
regional growth.

Press Release Body = West Palm Beach, FL - The South Florida Water Management
District (SFWMD) today formalized a groundbreaking rule that further guarantees
water to protect and restore America\'s Everglades. Known as the Regional Water
Availability Rule, this first-of-its kind requirement prevents water users from
tapping the famed River of Grass for new or additional supplies of water. Setting
aside the water in the Everglades for environmental restoration, permitted users
like urban water utilities along Florida's southeast coast will now have to find
alternative sources to supply regional growth.

\"The South Florida Water Management District has taken another significant step for
protecting and restoring America's Everglades,\" said Michael Sole, Secretary of the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection. \"This visionary rule safeguards
Florida's investments, ensures that our communities manage growth responsibly and
provides additional guarantees for making water available for the environment
first.\"

In South Florida, water suppliers in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe
counties currently depend on an estimated 500 million gallons of water per day from
the Everglades to recharge and sustain the Biscayne Aquifer -- their primary
drinking water source. Recognizing the need for more protective limits for the River
of Grass, the District last year began developing the Regional Water Availability
Rule to limit increased reliance on the Everglades system and Everglades-dependent
groundwater, formally identifying them as \"sources of limited availability.\"

\"This rule is a big win for the environment,\" said Kevin McCarty, Governing Board
Chairman of the South Florida Water Management District. \"South Florida is a
different place than it was just 30 years ago, and our water resources are not
unlimited. This rule boldly addresses regional growth and the need to protect the
natural system for future generations.\"

Cities needing additional water supplies will now be required to seek sources that
are not dependent on the Everglades for recharge. These alternative water supply
solutions may include recycling water, using reclaimed water to recharge the
Biscayne Aquifer or drawing water from the deeper Floridan Aquifer, which requires
treatment to remove saltwater content.

\"This legally binding rule is essential for protecting the water in the Everglades,
because water is the key to restoration success,\" added SFWMD Executive Director
Carol Ann Wehle. \"Our Regional Water Availability Rule represents a strong and very
clear policy statement that the South Florida Water Management District will protect
water for the environment.\"

Existing water supply permits are not being revoked. The rule affects new applicants
seeking a permit and existing permittees seeking permit renewal. The rule
specifically prevents permitted water supply allocations from being greater than
levels that existed prior to April 2006. To prevent shortfalls in meeting current
public drinking water needs, the rule provides a grace period for renewal
applicants, provided they are actively developing alternative supplies.

The District sought extensive public input on the rule, holding five rounds of
workshops and issuing five draft rules in response to comments from stakeholders
before developing and publishing the final draft.



Web Site = http://

Contact Details = Randy Smith
South Florida Water Management District
Office: (561) 682-6197 Cellular: (561) 389-3386