The takeaway message
A water bottling company is looking to pump up to 1.1 million gallons of water a day from Ginnie Springs. While the company assures the practice is sustainable, opponents worry about how the withdrawal will impact water quality and quantity in the state.
What’s going on?
Seven Springs Water Company is requesting a five-year renewal on its Florida water pumping permit, which would allow Nestlé to withdraw up to 1.1 million gallons of water from Ginnie Springs per day. Nestlé is one of the several companies that tap into Florida’s springs by paying a $115 permit fee.
Why it matters.
Florida is home to the largest concentration of freshwater springs in the United States. These springs are fed by Florida’s groundwater, which provides 90% of the state’s drinking water. But the state faces water future water shortages from pollution, a growing population, aging infrastructure, saltwater intrusion and climate change.
Those who oppose the Nestlé permit worry the increase in water consumption from Nestlé would decrease water flow, which could lead to water quality decline. Some state representatives are also concerned that the water withdrawal would lead to water shortages throughout the state.
But, Nestlé states it is actively monitoring the situation to ensure the sustainability of the resource.
“In the first six months of working with Seven Springs, Nestlé Waters installed multiple monitoring points at separate locations and depths,” reads the company’s website. “This allows us to understand and monitor water flow direction and aquifer levels in this area of the Ginnie Springs watershed. Additionally, we are installing instruments to monitor the water quality parameters at key locations.
What’s next?
Members of the Suwannee River Water Management District and its governing board will eventually vote on Nestlé’s permit renewal.
In early March, the SRWMD team of environmental experts recommended the board deny Nestlé the permit renewal request, citing potential environmental impacts and risks. This recommendation prompted the Seven Springs Water Company to file a petition against SRWMD. With legal action pending, the board’s decision has been postponed for several months.
It is unclear when the final decision will be made.
What can I do?
- Voice your personal opinion or request public hearings to learn more about the issue by contacting the Suwannee River Water Management District
- Familiarize yourself with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s strategies to restore and protect Florida’s springs.
- Take these 6 steps to help Florida springs right now.
Learn more:
- About how springs work.
- About current threats to Florida’s springs.
- About the economic contributions and ecosystem services.