Central Florida's Thirst Outpacing Mother Nature

29 July 2003 - 10:00am

Even with record rainfall, the region's growth has the sustainability of underground water supplies in doubt.

"Months of torrential rainfall bloated lakes, flooded neighborhoods and greened up countless square miles of lawns, but it is not enough to hold off Central Florida's water crisis. Officials say chances of seriously damaging lakes, rivers and wetlands -- the heart of Central Florida's delicate environment -- continue to draw closer. The threat comes from growing development, which pulls more fresh drinking water every year from underground resources...Now concerns are mounting that pumping will exceed the weather's ability to replenish underground water supplies sooner than ever expected -- no matter how much rain falls this year."

Source: The Orlando Sentinel, July 28, 2003
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There are limits to the amount of pollution the environment can absorb without reducing ecosystem services and impairing both human health and the sustainability of our economy.