Upper East Coast utilities pivot to RO and reuse as public water demand projected to surge 38% by 2050

Upper East Coast utilities pivot to RO and reuse as public water demand projected to surge 38% by 2050With traditional surficial aquifers and surface water sources strictly limited, South Florida Water Management District planners say the region's population growth will drive major investments in the brackish Floridan Aquifer and reclaimed water infrastructure.

Public water supply demand in the Upper East Coast planning area is projected to increase from 75.06 MGD in 2024 to 103.42 MGD by 2050.

Regulatory limits on regional canals and low productivity in the surficial aquifer mean future demands must be met by Alternative Water Supplies (AWS) and the Floridan Aquifer, which requires reverse osmosis (RO).

St. Lucie County is actively constructing two new RO plants, while Port St. Lucie plans to build a 10 MGD RO facility for surface water.

Since 2021, the district has provided $2.6 million in cost-share funding for regional AWS and conservation projects.

Florida's Upper East Coast is bracing for significant shifts in its municipal water infrastructure as a booming population strains traditional freshwater supplies. During an April 28 meeting to kick off the 2026 Upper East Coast Water Supply Plan Update, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) officials revealed that public water supply demand is projected to surge 38%, rising from 75.06 MGD in 2024 to 103.42 MGD by 2050. Meeting this demand will require a heavy reliance on alternative water supplies (AWS) and advanced treatment technologies. Tom Colios, Water Supply Planning Section Administrator, noted that the region's traditional freshwater sources—the surficial aquifer and regional surface water canals—face strict regulatory limits and limited productivity. Consequently, utilities must tap the deeper Floridan Aquifer system to meet growing needs. Because the Floridan Aquifer contains brackish water, treating it requires reverse osmosis (RO) systems and deep injection wells for concentrate disposal. Regional utilities are already executing significant capital projects to adapt to these constraints. Plan Manager Chad Brcka highlighted several ongoing AWS projects during the meeting. St. Lucie County is currently constructing two new RO water treatment plants, complete with Floridan wellfields and deep injection wells. Meanwhile, Port St. Lucie is advancing its McCarty Ranch project, which captures excess stormwater and will eventually feature a reservoir paired with a 10 MGD RO water treatment plant. Water reuse is also expanding to offset potable demands. The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority recently completed its mainland water reclamation facility, which is expected to begin producing reclaimed water for the Treasure Coast Energy Center this year. To support these regional transitions, the district and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have provided $2.6 million in cost-share funding for AWS and conservation projects in the Upper East Coast since 2021. While municipal demands are climbing rapidly alongside a projected 36% population increase, the region's largest water use category—agriculture—is shrinking. Senior Demographer Coleen Jordan indicated that agricultural water demand is expected to decrease by 12% through 2050, dropping to 138 MGD as crop acreages decline. The SFWMD is currently updating its regional groundwater models to simulate the impacts of the 2050 demands and evaluate sea level rise scenarios. The final 2026 Water Supply Plan Update is scheduled for Governing Board approval in November.