Florida One Water Commission
The Florida One Water Commission is a broad-based stakeholder group that champions integrated water resource management through: establishing policies to facilitate implementation, promoting the benefits of One Water, securing sustainable water resource funding, & providing increased regulatory flexibility.
Together, we are transforming water challenges into opportunities, ensuring a water-secure future for Florida’s ecosystems, economy, and communities.
What is One Water?
One Water means valuing all water through a collaborative and integrated systems approach to managing all fresh and brackish surface and groundwater, stormwater, wastewater and recycled water in a holistic and sustainable manner that maintains ecosystems while providing reliable and resilient water resources that support economic, environmental, and public benefits.
Why do we need One Water?
Florida’s continuing robust growth has resulted in significant stress on the state’s water resources. This situation poses a
significant challenge for communities and the environment if unresolved. But with action, this presents a unique opportunity to pioneer more sustainable water solutions that will ensure long-term resource preservation.
What needs to change?
Without proactive strategies, Florida faces projected water shortages, environmental degradation, and diminished community resilience. Current water management approaches are often siloed and inadequately address the complex challenges posed to multiple interrelated water resources within a region. Adopting proactive, integrated water management strategies that recognize the interconnected nature of Florida’s water resources is crucial to overcoming the limitations of the current siloed approach. Such a shift is vital to addressing complex challenges, including water shortages, environmental degradation, and reduced community resilience. Embracing holistic and coordinated solutions will ensure a future of sustainable water resource management and long-term resilience for the state. The benefits of One Water approaches, including environmental protection, the prevention of water shortages, and improved water quality, are closely aligned with the State of Florida’s goals and policies. To fully realize these benefits, it is important to have consistent and integrated funding sources that meet the true costs of these projects.
Our Members
Our Members and Advisors are primarily trustees for many of Florida’s most critical interests, including:
- Essential utility services that support human life;
- Economic viability of our industries;
- Water availability for our agriculture;
- Smart growth and sustainability of our communities;
- Biodiversity, habitat and ecosystem health for our native species;
- Ecology of our lands and waters;
- Land conservation and development;
- Science discovery to further our understanding of water and public health;
- Water resource management; and
- Planning and community development.
