Mr. Renfrow spoke about Miami-Dade County’s water supply needs for the next two decades and the 20-year Water Use Permit, granted last year by the South Florida Water Management District.  He mentioned the County will avoid taking any additional water from the Everglades for future demand by developing alternative supplies of water through an estimated $1.9 billion in capital investments.  

“Through extensive treatment and recycling of more than 200 million gallons per day of wastewater, we will actually increase water to the Everglades system as part of Everglades restoration,” Mr. Renfrow said.  

He also noted the importance of WASD’s water conservation efforts, which have helped reduce water demand by nearly ten percent over the past year.  “It is the most cost-effective way to meet future water supply needs,” he said.  Miami-Dade County has been recognized as a leader in innovative water conservation efforts at a state and national level, and has developed a comprehensive 20-year plan to address the water needs of a growing urban population.  

The Florida Congressional Delegation is co-chaired by U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings, who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, and U.S. Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who represents parts of Miami Dade and Broward counties. Also speaking at the meeting were Michael W. Sole, Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Brigadier General Joseph Schroedel, South Atlantic Division Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Charles R. Fletcher Esq, Former Environmental Engineer for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and current Partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; and Thomas Van Lent, Ph.D, Senior Scientist for the Everglades Foundation.  

WASD is the United States’ fifth-largest public water utility, and seventh-largest public wastewater utility, based on population served.