On its agenda for tomorrow evening, Madison County will call for a moratorium on Water First North Florida (WFNF), the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin.

For much more about WFNF, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

Madison County calls for a moratorium on Water First North Florida, 2026-03-25

Received from Rick Davis this afternoon, “Here is a link for the Resolution from Madison County to be considered at our March 25 Commission meeting at 6pm.”

https://madisoncountyfl.community.diligentoneplatform.com/document/378b10b9-874b-4072-b297-088c2e4a46e2

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-03-25

A RESOLUTION OF THE MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN MADISON, FLORIDA, OPPOSING THE FIRST NORTH FLORIDA (WENF) PIPELINE PROJECT AS CURRENTLY PROPOSED; REQUESTING AN IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM PENDING INDEPENDENT STUDY; AND DIRECTING TRANSMITTAL TO STATE OFFICIALS

WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Suwannee River Water Management District approved elements of the Water First North Florida (WFNF) project in November 2025, which includes a proposed approximately 90-mile pipeline to transport highly treated reclaimed water from facilities in the Jacksonville metropolitan area to wetlands within the Suwannee River Basin for purposes of aquifer recharge; and

WHEREAS, the project is estimated to cost between $1.0 and $1.1 billion, including approximately $400 million in funding from JEA, and proposes to recharge the Floridan Aquifer with more than 40 million gallons per day; and

WHEREAS, the Floridan Aquifer supplies drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and ecological baseflow to springs and rivers throughout the Suwannee River Basin; and

WHEREAS, Madison County has not been provided with comprehensive, independent environmental, hydrogeologic, public health, or economic impact studies evaluating long-term effects of the proposed discharge on groundwater quality, spring systems, wetlands, private wells, property values, tourism, or agricultural production; and

WHEREAS, Madison County has not been provided with comprehensive evidence that water piped or injected into the aquifer will meet the 0.35 mg/L numeric nutrient criterion; and

WHEREAS, concerns have been raised by residents, landowners, and regional stakeholders, including the WWALS Watershed Coalition and the Middle and Lower Suwannee River and Withlacoochee River Task Force, regarding potential accumulation of nutrients, emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, and other constituents of concern in recharge areas; and

WHEREAS, the precise locations of proposed recharge wetlands and the long-term monitoring, liability, and remediation framework have not been fully disclosed or evaluated; and

WHEREAS, the Madison County Board of County Commissioners has a statutory responsibility to safeguard the health, safety, natural resources, and economic stability of the residents of Madison County;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN MADISON COUNTY, FLORIDA:

1. Madison County formally opposes the WFNF pipeline project as currently proposed due to unresolved environmental, public health, and economic concerns.
2. Madison County calls for an immediate moratorium on planning, surveying, permitting, funding disbursement, land acquisition, or construction activities related to the WFNF project within or affecting Madison County until:
   1. Independent, peer-reviewed environmental and hydrogeologic impact studies are completed;
   2. Public health risk assessments are conducted;
   3. Economic impact analyses are completed; and
   4. Pilot recharge testing and long-term monitoring protocols are publicly evaluated.
3. Madison County urges the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Suwannee River Water Management District, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and the Florida Legislature to withhold further permits, approvals, or funding until the above conditions are satisfied and to consider alternative water management strategies, including reduction of groundwater withdrawals in urban source regions and localized recharge or conservation measures.
4. Madison County invites neighboring towns/cities, including Greenville, Lee and Madison, to adopt similar resolutions and coordinate intergovernmental engagement in any related regulatory or administrative proceedings.
5. The Clerk of Court is directed to transmit copies of this Resolution to:
   • The Governor of the State of Florida;
   • Members of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives representing this region;
   • The Executive Directors of the Suwannee River Water Management District and St. Johns River Water Management District;
   • The Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection;
   • The Chief Executive Officer of JEA; and
   • Relevant environmental and watershed organizations.

PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED, by the Madison County Board of County Commissioners this 25th day of March 2026.

Hon. Donnie Waldrep, District 2 Hon. Rick Davis, District 5

Hon. Alston Kelley, District 1 Chair. Ronnie Moore, District 3

Hon. Alfred Martin, District 4

ATTEST: _____________________ Hon. Billy Washington, Clerk of the Court

TM

Whereas 2026-03-25 –Madison BOCC

Resolved 2026-03-25 –Madison BOCC

Passed 2026-03-25 –Madison BOCC

MCC

Alston Kelley, District 1, 2026-02-27 –Madison County BOCC

Donnie Waldrep, District 2, 2026-02-27 –Madison County BOCC

Ronnie Moore, District 3 and Chair, 2026-02-27 –Madison County BOCC

Alfred Martin, District 4, 2026-02-27 –Madison County BOCC

Rick Davis, District 5, 2026-02-27 –Madison County BOCC

Logos

Madison County BOCC Logo

AG

Agenda, 2025-03-25 –Madison BOCC
PDF

10.1 Resolution 2026-03-25; Opposing the First North Florida Pipeline Project.
PDF

P-2025-07-08

WATER FIRST NORTH FLORIDA, 2025-07-08 –SRWMD
PDF

 -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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