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County urges conservation and science‑based review of Water 1st North Florida reuse project, approves resolution
Summary
Alachua County approved a resolution urging the Water Management Districts and project proponents to prioritize conservation, rigorous science and public engagement in the Water 1st North Florida indirect potable‑reuse program; staff described the project as a $1.1 billion plan to route treated wastewater through wetlands to recharge the Santa Fe Basin.
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners on June 9 approved a resolution that supports basin recovery strategies but urges rigorous scientific review and broader public involvement for the Water 1st North Florida project and called for accelerated conservation measures.
Stacy Greco, Alachua County Water Resources program manager, described the regional context: the Santa Fe/Ichetucknee basin is in recovery because current groundwater pumping and projected growth exceed amounts compatible with healthy springs. She described Water 1st North Florida as a large regional concept—"It's a $1,100,000,000 project," she said—intended to take treated wastewater, pass it through wetland treatment systems and recharge aquifers (staff described a concept of about 40 million gallons per day routed through wetland systems).
Greco emphasized the need for strong filtration and pilot testing, noting an ongoing pilot on ozone pretreatment and wetlands to reduce PFAS and other contaminants. "There was a lot of concern, people thinking that this was raw wastewater going into the aquifer," she said, urging more public meetings and rigorous scientific investigation around filtration levels and siting. As an immediate measure, staff urged stepped‑up conservation and one‑day‑per‑week irrigation restrictions to reduce demand while longer‑term projects proceed.
Commissioners praised the resolution’s dual focus: pressing for conservation to achieve near‑term recovery while leaving room for science‑based evaluation of reuse technologies and sites. The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
Staff said the county will continue coordinating with regional partners and the water‑management districts and track pilot results before taking any additional positions on project siting or implementation details.
