JEA already approved 40% of the purported cost of $1 billion for the Water First North Florida plan to pipe Jacksonville treated wastewater into the Suwannee River Basin.

This paragraph is interesting:

According to JEA, minimum flows and water levels stipulate how much water can be drawn from certain sources to avoid environmental damage from groundwater pumping. Because the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers have not met those MFLs, the region has created Water First as its solution.

Who is this “the region”?

Floridians, do you remember voting for this project?

Do you remember voting for any candidate who said they were for this project?

So who is this “the region” who created WFNF?

And why should the Suwannee Basin provide wetlands for “further purification” of Jacksonville wastewater?

Those are more questions you can ask your elected officials, local, state, and national.

https://wwals.net/?p=69143

JEA approved $400 million for treated wastewater 2025-11-18 into Suwannee Basin, Water First North Florida

Marcela Camargo, new4jax.com, November 19, 2025, JEA board approves $400M for project to recharge Floridan Aquifer, restore springs, ensure sustainable water supply: The board also approved $260.3 million increase to power purchase agreement with FPL,

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The JEA Board of Directors approved on Tuesday millions of dollars in funding for a project that aims to recharge the Floridan Aquifer, restore springs and river flows, and ensure the region’s sustainable water supply.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the board gave its approval to participate in the Water First North Florida Partnership, a long-term project that will help North Florida meet the upcoming Minimum Flows and Levels (MFL) rule by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

According to JEA, minimum flows and water levels stipulate how much water can be drawn from certain sources to avoid environmental damage from groundwater pumping. Because the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers have not met those MFLs, the region has created Water First as its solution.

JEA said the project will use high-quality reclaimed water and further treat it through a wetland filtration system before recharging it to the Floridan Aquifer.

The project is a collaborative effort of the St. Johns River Water Management District, Suwannee River Water Management District, and other key stakeholder organizations, including FDEP and local utilities.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the board also approved a $260.3 million increase to a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Florida Power & Light, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record.

JEA will purchase 100 megawatts in order to meet growing energy demand, adding to the previous agreement for 200 megawatts.

The picture comes from a press release by Wharton-Smith, Inc., Construction Group, January 7, 2025, JEA Buckman Capital Improvements Program, which says, “SIZE 52.5 MGD, CONSTRUCTION COST $380M”.

JEA Buckman Capital Improvements Program, 2025-01-07 –Wharton-Smith, Inc. Construction Group

I wonder how much of that counts towards JEA’s $400 million?

Here’s the usual vague map of WFNF. The origin point of the big arrow is this JEA Buckman wastewater plant. I hear from SRWMD that Clay County Utilities and others are also interested in participating.

Map: Water First North Florida, 2025-11-12 –SJRWMD

But why should the Suwannee Basin provide wetlands for “further purification” of wastewater from the St. Johns basin?

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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