Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
Florida’s diverse landscape, dynamic climate, and booming population are fostering complicated and extensive water policy in the state. Since 1950, the state has increased from 2,771,305 million to over 19 million. (Smith 21-22) At its peak the state increase 46.1% population from 1940 to 1950, and a 78.7% from 1950 to
1960. (Smith 22-24) Today, Central Florida is consistently increasing its population by about 34% - 40% year to year (Smith 21-22) . The State’s increase in population has, and will continue to raise the demand for more water supplies, smarter water use, and effective water management polices.
Precipitation
The state of Florida has a humid subtropical climate and receives an average of 55 inches of rainfall a year, which is almost double the nation’s average of 30 inches of rainfall a year. ("National Climatic Data Center") The highest annual rainfall takes place in Northwest Florida (the “panhandle”) and southeast Florida (Palm Beach area) with averages around 64 inches per year. The Florida Keys is among the lowest regions with 40 inches per year. ("National Climatic Data Center") It’s also important to understand annual rainfall varies dramatically from one part of the state to another, and year-to-year in the state. For instance, in 1953 Pensacola
(northern Florida) received about 90 inches of rainfall in 1953 and less then 29 inches the following year. ("National Climatic Data Center") Analyzing precipitation,
1

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
Air temperature, humidity, vegetation, evapotranspiration and soil permeability on a region-to-region basis is vital in determining the most suitable water resources policy and water management throughout the state.
Soil
Soils are equally essential to any ecosystem and water management system.
Understanding how permeable the soil is, the chance of flood, and the agricultural components of a soil is vital to properly managing a water source. Soil has a major impact on runoff and evapotranspiration and major differences in runoff and evapotranspiration between north and south Florida produce the need for different water management systems.
 Florida’s northern counties generally evapotranspire about 46 inches, while southern counties evapotranspiration more than 54 inches. ("National
Climatic Data Center")
 Estimated Runoff in southern counties is only 0-10 inches annually, while some northern Florida counties evapotransire 40 inches of runoff annually.
("National Climatic Data Center")
In any case of water resource management you have to know what type of soil you’re working with, to plan for runoff and evapotranspiration. The soil taxonomy map below displays the different kinds of soils that make up Florida’s surface. These soils range from the sands in costal regions and central ridge, to the peats of the northern everglades, to the heavy clays in panhandle, and the ubiquitous spodosols
2

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies. of the flat woods. There are 10 different classifications of soils in the state, but the three most common soils are Spodosols, Entisols, Ultisols.
("U.S. Department of
Agriculture")
** ("U.S. Department of Agriculture" <http://flenvirothon.com/Studyguides/enviro_soils.pdf>.
Entisols
Entisols have no diagnostic horizons, some have steep eroding slopes, and others are flood plans that receive deposits of alluvium many times a year. ("Entisols")
There are two types of Entisols that can primarily be found throughout the state.
The less common of the two is a vegetation friendly soil in northern Florida called
Aquents soil. Known to tolerate permanent or periodic wetness and is ideal for
3

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies. pasture, forest and wildlife habitat. The Aquents soil presents a low chance of flood and a great opportunity for farming.
The more common entisol, Psamments, is found in the southern tip and western region of the panhandle. Psamments are made up of sandy and shallow layers with little or no evidence of pedogenic horizons and many have an ochric epipedon development. ("Entisols") Water management in this region would have to taken into consideration erosion or soil depletion through ocean breeze and water.
These regions are also more prone to flooding. There is approximately 7.5 million acres of entisols in Florida. (Collins 2)
Ultisols
Ultisols can mainly be found in the mainland and northwest Florida. It has an argillic horizon and can support crop growing for most of the year. Ultisols are deep soils and typically a well-drained soil on upland ridges. ("Spodosols Map") These characteristics Posse a low threat for flooding because water is quickly absorbed into the soil. There is approximately 6.9 million known acres of Ultisols in Florida.
(Collins 2)
4

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
Spodosols
Spodosols are Soils with a spodic horizon with a dark-colored sub horizon and a mixture of organic matter and aluminum, with or without iron. Spodosolos have little silicate clay and have a particle class size of that like sand. The specific type of spodosols in Florida is called Aquods, also known as wet spodosols. ("Spodosols
Map") This type of spodosol has a shallow fluctuating water table, with substantial plant growth making it an ideal location for cropland or pastures. Though Aquods are naturally infertile, its respond quickly and very well adequate irrigation systems.
This type of soil is primarily around the coast, allowing for easy agriculture in some of the most populated cities. Spodosols is the most frequently found soil in the state with approximately 8.4 million acres. (Collins 2 )
Common law before the population boom
Before the Florida water resources act of 1972, Florida’s water usage was biased on common law. The riparian doctrine gave landowners the protected right to withdraw water from any bodies of water adjoining their lands. (Carriker) The
“reasonable use rule” stated riparian landowners could use surface waters as they wished as long as it did not interfere with another riparian were water use.
(Carriker) Water disputes were handed on a case-to-case basis and until the population boom and the water resources act of 1972 and the five water management districts were created.
5

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
Water Resources Act of 1972
The state of Florida is divided into five separate water resources management districts. Each district has its own set of policies and laws to best fit their region’s needs due to there environmental factors (such as precipitation, soil, runoff etc).
The five water districts are the South Florida Water Management District, the
Southwest Florida water management district, the ST. John’s River water management District, the Suwannee River Water management district, and the
North West management District. (Carriker)
The Florida water resources act of 1972 established an administrative water law stating all waters under regulation of the state. The act placed 9 officials for each district (except for the Southwest District which has 11 officials) appointed by the governor and confirmed by Florida senate to serve its 4-year term. (Carriker)
6

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
***Carriker, Roy. "Public Policy and Water in Florida." University of Florida. (2012): n. page. Web. 11
Apr. 2012http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/LyraEDISServlet?command=getImageDetail&image_soid=FIGURE%201&doc ument_soid=FE799&document_version=51091
The Florida water resource act’s main source of funding comes from the ad valorem tax, a constitutional amendment passed in 1976. (Carriker) With this tax money each district is required to implement regulatory programs for well-constructed, consumptive water use, and for alternations to the hydrologic water regime. The
7

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies. board also has powers in maintaining, regulating, altering, or constructing waterways and appurtenant faculties.
 Tampa bay is made up of 400 square miles of open water. ("Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project")
 22,000 square mile drainage basin surrounded by Tampa metropolitan area,
Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, and Bradenton. ("Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project")
 More than 100 tributaries and more than 40 creeks and streams flowing into the bay. ("Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project")Tampa bay is located in the central western part of the state and has been growing in population for over 50 years, with average population increases of over 30%. (Smith 22-24)
A booming population, lack of water management, and unexpected and severe droughts cause the area to have to conservatively re-think their water supply. The industrial boom created massive amounts of habitat loss and sea grass loss and replaced it with high levels of coliform bacteria and nitrogen;
63% of that nitrogen sourcing from storm water runoff. ("Nitrogen
Management Consortium")
8

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
**
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Nitrogen Management Consortium. 2008. Web
.
<http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/nep/upload/2009_05_28_estu aries_inaction_Effective_TampaBay2.pdf>.
Tampa’s subtropical climate brings heavy rains April through June, which causes nitrogen runoff problems. But when It’s not an April- June month a different problem surfaces; Salt-water intrusion.
Problem: Saltwater intrusion
Saltwater intrusion is a water allocation problem in the Southwest District. Salt water is denser then fresh water, so naturally fresh water floats on top of the surface and saltwater sinks. When freshwater levels are high, freshwater will exert pressure downward to keep the salt water from intruding the freshwater aquifers.
But when freshwater levels are consistently overused past the recharge zone, salt water is able to infiltrate the aquifer because the freshwater pressure that was keeping the salt water out to sea is no longer present. If freshwater sinks below sea
9

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies. level it allows for salt water to move inland and into its canals and watersheds. the southwest Florida district has designated “water use Caution area” To manage salt water intrusion involving many counties surrounding the Tampa area.
Water use Caution Area
A Water Use Caution Area (WRCA) is defined by State law as an area where water resources are, or are expected to, become critical within the next twenty years. A number of WRCAs exist throughout the State, including several in the Southwest
Florida Water Management District. ("Southwest Florida Water Management
District")The WUCA is approximately 5,100 square miles, covering the southern half of the southwestern district. The WUCA is mostly made up of the eastern Tampa area and highlands ridge, including all of Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee and Desoto counties and portions of Hillsbourgh, Charlotte, and Polk counties. ("Southwest
Florida Water Management District")
10

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
** St. Petersburg water caution Areas http://www.stpete.org/water/watering_restrictions.asp
St. Petersburg water restrictions in the WUCA
 Watering with (city) water, water from private wells or private connections to surface water sources (lakes, ponds, etc.) is restricted according to property address number as follows: 
 - o Addresses ending in an even number or the letters A through M are permitted irrigate, if necessary, on Tuesday and Saturday only. 
 o Addresses ending in an odd number, the letters N through Z, and locations with no address are permitted irrigate, if necessary, on
Wednesday and Sunday only. 
 ("St. Petersburg”)
11

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
 Hand watering of non-lawn landscape is allowed at any time, on any day, if needed. ("St. Petersburg”)
 An automatic shutoff device must be installed on your hose and used at all times.
("St. Petersburg”)
 Hand watering of lawn/ turf is allowed ONLY during your designated watering days and times. 
 ("St. Petersburg”)
 Micro-irrigation (low-flow or drip irrigation) is allowed at any time, on any day, if needed.
("St. Petersburg”)
 Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited. 
 ("St. Petersburg”)
 Use of an automatic shutoff device is required when using a hose for any purpose. 
 - Car washing is allowed once a week. ("St. Petersburg”)
 
 Chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides applied to lawn or plants by a hired professional shall be watered in according to manufacturer's instructions within 24 hours after application. o A sign showing the date of application must be visible in the yard. o Chemical treatments not applied by a hired professional must be watered-in on designated watering days, during allowable times for the address. ("St. Petersburg”)
- Cleaning and maintenance of an irrigation system is limited to once a week.
Run times cannot exceed ten (10) minutes per zone. ("St. Petersburg”)
12

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
Florida is constantly reconstructing there water use, supply, and water policy due to their unique, and complicated factors of population, climate, and soil. To manage these problems the state has compartmentalize different water management issues into five individual water districts. In the south western district (Tampa bay area),
Caution areas are zoned to instruct citizens on how to conserve there water supply through scheduled lawn watering times, car wash limitations, etc. The caution zones are designed to help reduces saltwater intrusion from infiltrating inland into freshwater canals and aquifers. Over the last 50 years Florida’s water resource management and policy has undergone significant change. Its safe to say that change will continue to change over the next 50 years.
Dear Dr. Kirk,
I have never done a case study before and I’m not sure if this is exactly what you wanted. I actually enjoyed writing this paper and I think I’m going to continue researching Florida. I had no idea how big of a topic this was. I would greatly appreciate any feedback on things you think I should indulge more deeply or maybe topics you think might be of interest.
Thanks,
Eastman
13

Matthew Eastman
4/11/12
Case Study
Florida’s water resource management systems, problems, and policies.
1.
Smith, Stanley. "Florida Population Growth: Past, Present and Future Stanley K. Smith
Bureau of Economic and Business Research 221 Matherly Hall University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611-7145 (352) 392-0171, Ext. 210 sksmith@ufl.edu June,." Bureau of
Economic and Business Research. (2005): 21-27. Print.
2.
"Climate of Florida." National Climatic Data Center. (2008): n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.
<http://coaps.fsu.edu/climate_center/specials/climateofflorida.pdf>.
3.
"Florida Envirothon Study Packet — Soils Section." U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2005): n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. <http://flenvirothon.com/Studyguides/enviro_soils.pdf>.
4.
United States. Natural resource conservation service. Entisols. 2012. Web. <Entisols>.
5.
Collins, M.E. "Key to Soil Orders in Florida." University of Florida. (2012): 2. Web. 11 Apr.
2012. <http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss113>.
6.
United States. Natural resource conservation service. Spodosols Map . 2012. Web.
<http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/orders/spodosols_map.html>
7.
Carriker, Roy. "Public Policy and Water in Florida." University of Florida. (2012): n. page.
Web. 11 Apr. 2012. <http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe799>.
8.
Carriker, Roy. "Florida's Water: Supply, Use, and Public Policy." University of Florida. (2012): n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. <http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe207>.
9.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project.
2001. Web.
10.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Nitrogen Management Consortium. 2008.
Web.
<http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/nep/upload/2009_05_28_estuaries_inaction_Effective_Ta mpaBay2.pdf>.
11.
"West -Central FloridaRestoration Action Plan." Southwest Florida Water Management
District. (2009): n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/wrap/wrap_web.pdf>.
12.
"Southern Water Use Caution Area." Southwest Florida Water Management District. (1998): n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/documents/plans/files/swuca.pdf>.
13.
"Watering Restrictions." St. Petersburg . (2012): n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.stpete.org/water/watering_restrictions.asp>.
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