A thirsty state's wake-up call

COMMENTARY BY ALEXANDRA FELS, STAFF WRITER

FOR OVER A century, Florida’s aquifers have sustained the state’s thirst for water, with the sprawling Floridian aquifer system at the forefront of this vital resource for over a century. These aquifers, essentially rock and sediment formations that provide significant water resources for farming and consumption statewide, have experienced depletion over the last four decades due to overuse, exacerbated by climate change and the common perception that water is plentiful in Florida, according to the New York Times.

Climate change has impacted the system of aquifers. As Earth experiences more frequent and intense heat waves, the aquifers experience increased evaporation of rainfall and surface water. Furthermore, rising temperatures lead to heightened water demand by plants, as they require more water to prevent dehydration, according to the National Park Service. However, as state legislatures are failing to recognize the effects of climate change on aquifers, the water sources are depleting at a rapid rate.

“Some plants are unable to thrive because of the depletion of water due to the impacts of climate change,” Project Green co-founder Lenox Balzebre said. “Plants are being destroyed, and we are not doing anything to help.”

As a community, practical steps should be taken to reduce the impact of the drainage, such as implementing water-saving measures like harnessing rainwater. Given Florida’s consistently humid and rainy climate, the collection and use of rainwater for plant irrigation represents a sustainable alternative to relying solely on aquifer water.

With a substantial 60% decline in aquifer output since the 1900s, plummeting from 500 million gallons per day to 200 million gallons per day, state legislators recognized the need for intervention, according to National Geographic.

In 2016, state authorities crafted the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act, intended to form strategies for conserving and safeguarding the Florida aquifers. However, the enforcement of this regulation by environmental officials has been hindered due to recent stances on climate change. This has led to the continuing neglect of these aquifers, which may eventually lead to the utter depletion of Florida’s main water source.

Many individuals are guilty of leaving the tap running during household chores, but the primary source of water waste lies in lawn irrigation. Despite the lush lawns that adorn many homes, it is essential to recognize that grass is not native to Florida and that this non-native vegetation is depleting Florida’s water resources. Floridians consume more than 900 million gallons of water daily to maintain their lawns, according to National Geographic.

While the idea of having a well-manicured lawn is ingrained in the classic suburban ideal, it poses a threat to Florida’s water supply. As an alternative, Florida residents should consider planting native fora like wild grass, sunshine mimosas or beach sunflowers, which closely resemble grass but are adapted to the region’s natural conditions and require significantly less water for maintenance.

“Florida residents waste water with their use of grass as it requires excess amounts of water,” former Garden Project sponsor Jackie Kellog said. “Golf courses are one of the main contributors to the depletion of aquifers, as they are planted with grass which takes up a tremendous amount of water.”

There is a need for an improved understanding of effective water conservation methods. If the state witnessed a depletion of 300 million gallons of water from aquifers in just a few years, one can only imagine the alarming rate at which it may continue to diminish in the coming years.