Traditional water supply sources in some areas of Florida are not sufficient to meet the future needs of the state's growing population and the needs of the environment, agriculture, industry and mining. Some of those areas are in the St. Johns River Water Management District. In fact, about 40 percent of the District has been identified as a priority water resource caution area where existing and planned sources of supply will not be able to meet all future needs without resulting in unacceptable impacts to water resources and related natural systems.

Addressing these water issues was a priority during the 2005 legislative session. Two bills — Senate Bill 360 and Senate Bill 444 — were passed and signed into law by former-Gov. Jeb Bush. This legislation focuses on encouraging cooperation in the development of alternative water supplies and improving the linkage between local governments' land use plans and water management districts’ regional water supply plans.

Information about the legislative requirements and the District’s implementation plans for the requirements are provided below.

• Florida Water Protection and Sustainability Program
  (Cost-share funding program for alternative water supply construction projects.)
  
• District Water Supply Plan 2005
• Priority water resource caution area map
• Comprehensive plan requirements

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• Florida Department of Community Affairs
• Northwest Florida Water Management District
• Suwannee River Water Management District
• Southwest Florida Water Management District
• South Florida Water Management District
• Senate bills (SB)
• SB360 | SB444