According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), “
Water conservation is the most important action we can take to sustain our water supplies, meet future needs and reduce demands on Florida’s water-dependent ecosystems such as springs, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.”
Water conservation measures, adoption of year-round landscape irrigation restrictions, increased use of reclaimed water, and the use of Florida-Friendly landscape techniques together have resulted in a significant lowering of the per capita water use rates. Outdoor water use has long been considered the low-hanging fruit for conservation throughout the state.
The recently released draft 2020 Central Florida Water Initiative water supply plan states that “Water conservation by all water use categories will continue to be a priority to meet the CFWI Planning Area’s future water demands. Historical gross per capita water use has decreased from 182 gallons per person per day (GPCD) in 1995 to 140 GPCD in 2015. While water conservation measures have already been implemented in the CFWI Planning Area, additional water conservation has an important role in meeting future water supply demands.”