JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There's a water war brewing between Northeast and Central Florida. Lisa Rinaman steps into her role as the St. Johns Riverkeeper Monday. On the eve of her duty as river defender, Rinaman fears Central Florida counties are planning to pump more water from the river.
"We don't think there's a safe water withdraw until we have all the answers to all the questions," said Rinaman.
Questions, Rinaman hopes, will be answered in the results of a four-year, $3.7 million study done by the St. Johns River Water Management District. The study will determine how much water can be removed from the river without harming it.
The study was triggered by the water withdraw debate with Seminole County in 2008. The city of Jacksonville and the St. Johns Riverkeeper lost a lawsuit trying to prevent Seminole County from siphoning five million gallons a day. Seminole will start operating its new water plant this month. Rinaman fears their growing thirst for our water will resurface the river debate between northeast and central Florida counties.
"Not only is the St. Johns River a natural resource, it's an economic driver and we have to do all that we can as a community to protect it," said Rinaman.
Rinaman warns if our river loses any more water to other counties, it could kill wildlife and cost taxpayers more money in maintenance.
"It could very well have an impact on everyday citizens. If there is damage to the river someone has to fix it. So that falls on the backs of local and state governments," said Rinaman.
Rinaman says the study did not include key issues like port dredging and weather droughts. But she adds, many will see the results as justification to pump more water out of the St. Johns River.
