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Nassau County names April Water Conservation Month; St. Johns River Water Management District highlights supply pressures
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April 2025 as Water Conservation Month. A representative of the St. Johns River Water Management District outlined projected population and water‑use growth and said conservation could yield tens of millions of gallons per day in savings.
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on April 14 proclaimed April 2025 as Water Conservation Month and heard a presentation from the St. Johns River Water Management District on regional water‑supply challenges and conservation measures.
Doug Conkey of the St. Johns River Water Management District told the board that continued population growth in northeast Florida will increase pressure on the Floridan aquifer and that local governments must pursue conservation and alternate supplies. The district’s planning horizon anticipates a 49% population increase in the study area and a 32% increase in groundwater withdrawals by 2045, Conkey said, citing the regional water-supply planning process. The district estimates average daily demand could reach about 698 million gallons per day by 2045 without mitigation.
“Water conservation is a key element,” Conkey said, noting that aggressive conservation measures contemplated in regional planning could yield roughly 80 million gallons per day of savings. He also highlighted the district’s artesian‑well plugging program, which district staff reported has reduced unnecessary withdrawals by about 78.4 million gallons per day since 2020.
The commissioners adopted the county proclamation designating April as Water Conservation Month and encouraged residents and businesses to improve outdoor irrigation efficiency, the proclamation said. The board observed that April is typically drier and that outdoor irrigation comprises a significant portion of local water use.
Conkey also discussed the high cost of alternative water supplies and large infrastructure projects. He referenced the Black Creek Water Project and said the district is preparing for more complex and costly projects to address minimum flows and levels and long‑term supply needs.
The proclamation was signed by Chair Huttman and attested by County Attorney Denise May. County staff and the board thanked the district for the presentation and for its technical assistance and cost‑share programs available to local governments.
The board did not adopt new water regulations at the meeting; the proclamation is primarily an awareness and outreach action.
