Florida’s water supply strained by development, overexploitation of groundwater

Climate change, booming development, and overexploitation of groundwater are combining to threaten the future of Florida’s potable water supply.

Sea levels along the Florida coast have risen dramatically in the last few decades, infiltrating groundwater and making drinking water sources saltier and costly to treat. A 2024 report by the Florida Office of Demographic Research found that the state may experience a water supply shortage as soon as this year despite the state’s rainy climate.

Almost all of Florida’s groundwater comes from aquifers, but because of population concentration in major metro areas, much of the citizenry lives in areas such as Miami and Tampa where the freshest aquifer water is too deep to access or too salty. The state’s population growth adds to the demand for freshwater.

Efforts are underway to conserve water including expanding conservation of agricultural lands, and investing millions into infrastructure and restoration projects, but some experts wonder if these measures will be enough to keep up with demand.