Turning off Everglades spigot is good first step

By A TIMES EDITORIAL
Published April 11, 2007

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State officials turned off the tap last week on water withdrawals from the Everglades, another step toward helping the River of Grass live up to its name. The new rule, adopted by the South Florida Water Management District, means cities along the southeast coast must develop alternative water sources to meet the needs of their growing populations. The move is a good one, but officials still need to enforce greater conservation efforts.

The rule, a year in the making, is the first time the government declared the Everglades off-limits for new or additional water supplies. Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties now rely on 500-million gallons each day from the Everglades. While existing permits will not be revoked, the rule caps withdrawals and forces utilities to look at alternative sources, such as reclaimed water and desalination technology. Beyond saving water for Everglades restoration, the move sends a message to communities that natural resources are not unlimited. That is the first step toward better balancing environmental protection and growth.

The Regional Water Availability Rule, as it is called, should move the 30-year, $11-billion Everglades restoration in the right direction. But the current drought also calls for greater conservation. With months until the rainy season, local governments in South Florida need to crack down on wasteful watering practices, make recycled water more available and do more to move developers away from water-intensive landscaping. Conservation should be seen as an alternative water source - drought or not.