Value of groundwater to public supply in west-central Florida. Issue 6 (2nd November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Beynen, Philip E.
• Is Part Of: International journal of water resources development. Volume 38:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 964
• Page End: 984
• Publication Date: 2022-11-02
• Subjects: Groundwater -- public supply -- Florida -- desalinization -- water conservation -- karst; Water resources development -- Periodicals; Water-supply, Agricultural -- Periodicals; 333.91005
• DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2021.1931051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0790-0627

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study provides a monetary value for groundwater by estimating the cost for the year 2020 to replace its use in public supply for 5 million people in west-central Florida, USA. The alternatives include building reservoirs and desalinization plants, water reuse, and conservation measures, with the most expensive being building more reservoirs at US$4.5 billion and least is conservation at US$840 million. This region's regulators recognize the need to reduce the reliance on groundwater and have implemented programmes to promote the above alternatives. While water conservation is the most sustainable option, barriers related to policies and investment reduce the effectiveness of this approach.