In drought or monsoon, we all should be responsible water users

By BEVERLY FLEMING

Water is a renewable resource used by all living things on Earth. In the eastern states, we rely on rainfall to replenish surface water reserves (streams, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, etc.) and ultimately to restore the aquifer. Severe drought over the past few years has reduced those free-flowing rivers, lakes and reservoirs. And actually only a portion of rainfall recharges the Floridan aquifer.

Runoff benefits the lakes and rivers but reduces that which is available for recharge areas as does evaporation and transpiration. Only that which filters through the soil in specific areas will recharge the aquifer system and that takes a significant amount of time. With an average rainfall of approximately 50 inches per year in Florida, our surface waters usually get recharges each year. but what happens when we don't get that rainfall?

You have heard a lot more about the water war in the Southeast lately because of the extended drought in Southeastern states, but the debate between Florida, Georgia and Alabama is actually decades old and may ultimately be settled only by the US Supreme Court who rules in surface water resource management cases. However, litigation is extremely costly and every effort should be made to equitably partition this resource before it is taken to court.

According to Internet research, water law in the Eastern states is traditionally based on riparian doctrine where precipitation supports agriculture. In the Western states, it differs in that water rights are traditionally based on first owner along the waterway being given first rights and then being able to decide if diversion of the resource is going to happen.

Several water resources are involved in these debates. Lake Sydney Lanier is a manmade lake located in northern Georgia. It was created by placement of the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956 and is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It serves power plants powering all three states. The primary purpose for its creation was flood control of the Atlanta area although it has also been used for drinking water. According to the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Neil Armingeon, taking more water from the Chattahoochee River (Lake Lanier) would impact other waters such as the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay in Florida, our largest oyster area.

Florida's St. Johns River is another water body being targeted by areas south and west of it that claim to need more water in addition to what they are already withdrawing to handle the expanded growth in their area. According to the 2000 U.S. census, the largest population increase in history took place between 1990 and 2000. They are asking to withdraw millions more gallons of water each year for drinking water for those residents.

In many counties, but not all, we have water restrictions in place. We have reduced the withdrawal of water from the aquifer by restricting irrigation of our landscapes between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and only two days a week. Reuse of used water is also advocated for lawns. Unfortunately, too many people are not taking the restrictions seriously and lack of personnel for enforcement is limited.

If we are responsible citizens, we can take some matters into our own hands by further reducing our dependence on potable water. There is a workshop being held at the St. Johns Agricultural Center on November 27 to educate the public on how to create a rain barrel. The class is from 10 AM until noon and the cost is $35. You will create and take home your own rainbarrel. Class size is limited so call (904) 209-0430 to make your reservation now.

You can also choose to redefine your landscape by reducing the amount of turf grass (especially St. Augustine) by using native plants in your landscape, by buying a Florida Water Star and Energy Star home, or by refitting plumbing in your home to low flow usage. You should also be willing to express your views about mandatory restriction of water use to public officials who are making the decisions in our county and state.