Agriculture, business and environmental advocates had one clear message Thursday before the House Select Committee on Water Policy: Fiscal problems or not, deficit or not, provide for the future water supply of the state.
The interest groups all have different reasons to push for a sufficient amount of water to meet Floridas needs, but they all agree that budget cuts should not forsake long-term water-supply policy.
Make sure you put something in (the budget) to work on the water, Keyna Cory, Associated Industries of Florida representative, told legislators.
The advocates praised Floridas current water policy, but warned that conservation efforts and alternative water-supply sources are needed if the state wants to keep pace with growth. The problem, though, with developing alternative water sources like desalinization and reverse osmosis is the high cost, something legislators might be loathe to fund given the budget problems.
But Cory insisted that ensuring the long-term supply of water is essential for providing for infrastructure and enticing businesses to move to Florida.
You cant build roads without water, you cant build schools without water, you cant build hospitals without water, she said.
One idea floated by Rep. Trudi Williams, R-Fort Myers, who chairs the Select Committee on Water Policy, would be to match up the 30-year bonds for the large water supply with the consumptive-use permits issued every 10 years to the utilities in charge of the facilities. The permits havent historically been a sticking point, but after the recent financial crisis, bond markets are more wary of risks to investments.
Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Palatka, agreed with that idea but also wanted greater review of water utilities. He suggested requiring the utilities to submit certificates of need, as banks do, to ensure they are using and not hoarding water.
I certainly understand the need to have the consumptive-use permits sync up with the length of the loan, Van Zant said.
But representatives were also reminded that Floridas growth doesnt always match projections, and shouldnt rush to fund large projects that arent needed.
We have to look at our utilities. Water utilities have overestimated growth, and who gets hurt? The government doesnt have to pay those bonds, taxpayers and ratepayers do, said Eric Draper, executive director of the Audubon Society of Florida.
If legislators are looking to savewater supply funds, the cheapest solution would be to turn off the faucet.
Its much more cost-effective to conserve water than to develop new supply sources. We use much more water than we really need, said Rich Budell, director of Water Policy for the Department of Agriculture.
Reach Gray Rohrer at grohrer@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
