Harnessing the Power of Innovation to Strengthen Florida’s Aquifer
Water Conservation Starts with Innovation
July, 2022
Florida’s aquifer makes life possible in the Sunshine State.
It’s our most precious natural resource. That’s why Florida’s phosphate industry is doing more to strengthen it.
Sustainably using water means recycling and reusing more of it. Today, up to 95% of water used in phosphate manufacturing is recycled throughout operations. These innovative practices have resulted in a strengthened aquifer and made more water available for conservation.
It’s working. Studies show that the Upper Floridan Aquifer has been replenished in recent years, recovering up to sixteen feet of its volume near areas phosphate producers operate in. While many factors, such as residential and commercial growth, affect aquifer levels, we’re doing our part to contribute to the recovery. Phosphate producers are capturing stormwater on-site to reduce the need to obtain groundwater. We’re also partnering with municipal water treatment facilities to receive residential and commercial wastewater from neighboring communities to be used in operations, which would otherwise be discharged into local water bodies. It may seem small, but turning off valves faster or reporting leaks can also make a meaningful impact.
The Takeaway: Harnessing the power of innovation is allowing us to reduce, reuse and recycle more water than ever before. That’s good for the environment and Florida’s aquifer.
