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WFNF on Jacksonville TV 2026-04-22

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This is probably the first most people in the Jacksonville area have heard of Water First North Florida (WFNF).

It’s great that the SRWMD and SJRWMD Executive Directors consider clean water a personal issue. They’re still pushing an overly complex, expensive, and risky 60+-mile pipeline for treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee Basin.

There are less expensive, fast-to-build, less risky, and more scalable solutions.

https://wwals.net/?p=70046

For more about WFNF, including who you can contact and a petition, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

[WFNF on Jacksonville TV, Andrea Snody, News4JAX 2026-04-22, Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman, Hugh Thomas, SRWMD, Mike Register, SJRWMD]
WFNF on Jacksonville TV, Andrea Snody, News4JAX 2026-04-22, Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman, Hugh Thomas, SRWMD, Mike Register, SJRWMD

Andrea Snody, News4JAX, April 22, 2026, Jacksonville wastewater plan could reshape North Florida water supply, Continue reading →

The promoters bear the burden of proof about WFNF –WWALS to SRWMD 2026-04-13

This is the letter I sent SRWMD and gave them on paper this morning.

You can see it in SRWMD’s own video on YouTube. Public Comments start at 20:28.

https://www.youtube.com/live/OwKstHuSHNg?si=nF1yXXiXayn91J7p&t=1228

My bit starts at 38:20.

https://www.youtube.com/live/OwKstHuSHNg?si=yJ_hyAkBR3r_JPR6&t=2300

[The promoters bear the burden of proof about WFNF --WWALS to SRWMD 2026-04-13]
The promoters bear the burden of proof about WFNF –WWALS to SRWMD 2026-04-13

Three other people spoke against WFNF in Public Comments, and there was more comment by the board members at the end, as well as some allusions during the Public Hearing about the Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order. You can see and hear those for yourself in the SRWMD video. I may blog some more of that later.

For much more about WFNF, including the letters and resolutions against it by towns, counties, and regional entities, as well as who you can contact and a petition, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

Below is the text of the WWALS letter to SRWMD for their 9 AM meeting this morning.

I also sent a similar letter to SJRWMD for their 10AM meeting this morning.

Images of both letters are below.

Maybe some day they will stagger their board meetings so it is possible to attend both, as Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson asked them 9 years ago. Continue reading →

Packet: Governing Board –SJRWMD 2026-04-14

Update 2026-04-14: The promoters bear the burden of proof about WFNF –WWALS to SRWMD 2026-04-13.

Update 2026-04-13: Stagger SRWMD and SJRWMD Board meetings –Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson 2027-01-17.

You can talk about WFNF in Public Comment at the SJRWMD Board meeting tomorrow.

The agenda packet for Tuesday’s 10 AM SJRWMD Governing Board meeting is considerably lighter than the agenda the same day for SRWMD. There is nothing about Water First North Florida (WFNF) and no change to the previous Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order from the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD).

You can’t go to both, unless you have a time machine, because SRWMD meets at 9 AM and SJRWMD at 10 AM and it’s a three-hour drive from Live Oak to Palatka.

But maybe you have friends or family who can go to the SJRWMD meeting and ask questions.

For some such questions and much more about WFNF, including a petition, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

[Packet: Governing Board --SJRWMD 2026-04-14, Palatka, FL, with Public Comment]
Packet: Governing Board –SJRWMD 2026-04-14, Palatka, FL, with Public Comment

Or you could write the the SJRWMD Board or Executive Director; see their web page. Continue reading →

What you can do about WFNF, slides –Suwannee Riverkeeper 2026-04-02

Here’s the WWALS video of me speaking and my slides. Basically, there are much better ways to rehydrate wetlands, springs, and rivers in the Suwannee Basin, such as Jacksonville can desalinate seawater. And there are other places JEA can send its treated wastewater in the St. Johns Basin.

[What you can do about WFNF --Suwannee Riverkeeper 2026-04-02, You can help with better solutions]
What you can do about WFNF –Suwannee Riverkeeper 2026-04-02, You can help with better solutions

To stop this project, we need a groundswell of public opposition such as stopped golf courses in state parks. You can help.

For who you can contect, and a petition you can sign, plus more information about WFNF, including all the city, county, and regional letters and resolutions against, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

For the rest of the speakers, see Continue reading →

Agenda: WWALS Quarterly Board Meeting 2026-04-12

Here is the draft agenda and the zoom parameters for the WWALS Quarterly Board meeting Sunday evening, April 12, 2026.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89308028204?pwd=VmwyMzVTMVR6WGJxbUFUSlFXWFRWQT09

WWALS Quarterly Board Meeting

When: 6:00 PM, Sunday, April 12, 2026

What: The usual board business.

Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1630092761633059/

[Agenda: WWALS Quarterly Board Meeting, By zoom, 6-8 PM, 2026-01-11, Advocacy, outings, events, Board, Staff, and Committees]
Agenda: WWALS Quarterly Board Meeting, By zoom, 6-8 PM, 2026-01-11, Advocacy, outings, events, Board, Staff, and Committees

Here is the agenda (see also Continue reading →

Videos: A roomfull against WFNF at SCRP, Live Oak, FL 2026-04-02

An overflow-capacity room full of people heard about the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin: Water First North Florida (WFNF).

They did not like it.

[Videos: A roomfull against WFNF at SCRP, Live Oak, FL, 2026-04-02]
Videos: A roomfull against WFNF at SCRP, Live Oak, FL, 2026-04-02

Six people stood up front to speak, and many in the audience had questions. Larry Sessions speaking for himself (he’s also on the SRWMD Board), Franklin White speaking for himself and as a Suwannee County Commissioner, Dennis J. Price, P.G., asking SRWMD to resume evaluating his proposal to drill recharge wells at overflows of forestry ditch wetlands, Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman about what you can do, Joe Squitieri, wastewater professional, about Florida statutes give JEA until 2039 to deal with its wastewater, and Adam Collins, an engineer from Live Oak, who said we’ve been complacent long enough.

This was Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Live Oak City Hall, in the monthly meeting of the Suwannee County Republican Party (SCRP).

For much more about WFNF, including a petition and how to contact your appointed and elected officials, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

Here are WWALS videos of each speaker, followed by a WWALS video playlist.

In the interests of getting these videos posted in a timely manner, I’m not including much commentary about what went on. See for yourself. Continue reading →

Hamilton County Commission against the utter disrespect of SRWMD and JEA about WFNF 2023-03-24

A pullquote:

Finally, the Board must note the utter disrespect that has been shown to the Board and citizens of Hamilton County.

[Hamilton County Commission against the utter disrespect of SRWMD and JEA about WFNF 2026-03-24]
Hamilton County Commission against the utter disrespect of SRWMD and JEA about WFNF 2026-03-24

For much more about this project to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

Hamilton Rivers, facebook, March 31, 2026, Public Statement: Water First North Florida Project,

To address recent questions and speculation, the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners wants to be clear:

On March 24, 2026, the Board unanimously voted to formally oppose the proposed Water First North Florida Project.

We remain committed to protecting the citizens and natural resources of Hamilton County.

— Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners

Here is that letter from Hamilton County to SRWMD: Continue reading →

Song Submissions open April 1st –Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2026-03-31

Hahira, Georgia, March 31, 2026 — Send in your song starting April First, no fooling! You can send songs until August 12, 2026, for the Ninth Annual Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.

[Entry Form Banner 2026 SuwRK Songwriting Contest Trim]

Entry form: https://forms.gle/fihLNVC2xbD1SXBB6

Finalists will be selected by the organizing committee, and will perform their songs at the WWALS River Revue sit-down fundraising dinner. That will be Saturday, September 12, 2026, 5-9 PM, at the Lowndes County 4-H Club, 6100 4-H Club Road in Lake Park, Georgia 31636.

There will be food, drink, speakers from Georgia and Florida, a silent auction, and the music of a headliner before the Songwriting Contest Finalists play.

“More fun than you can have anywhere off the water!” said WWALS Board member Scotti Jay.

We like songs about issues, nature, history, fun on the water, or community, or whatever tickles your fancy.

For the first time we’re including the Santa Fe River Basin. We used to exclude that Basin, because Our Santa Fe River (OSFR) had a songwriting contest for it. OSFR is not doing that anymore.

Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, who invented that contest, will do one next year by Rum 138, her outfitter. But she recommends WWALS include the Santa Fe Basin in our Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, “As a result of JEA wanting to send treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin, give us your best songs.”

If you don’t know what she’s referring to, see: Continue reading →

WFNF at Suwannee County Republican Party, Live Oak, FL 2026-04-02

Update 2026-04-02: Videos: A roomfull against WFNF at SCRP, Live Oak, FL 2026-04-02.

Come hear about the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin: Water First North Florida (WFNF).

Thursday, April 2, 2026, Live Oak City Hall, 101 White Ave SE, Live Oak, FL 32064-3340.

Optional informal social time at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7pm.

According to the facebook event by the Suwannee County Republican Party:

This Thursday, April 2nd, come discuss the Water First North Florida project, with SRWMD Board Member Larry Sessions, Suwannee County Commissioner Franklin White, geologist Dennis Price, and WWALS/Suwannee Riverkeeper Executive Director John Quarterman.

Our County Commission and those of all the surrounding counties have passed resolutions opposing the project, as has the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

So: What do we do now? Who will decide, and how can we influence future decisions? Come be part of the discussion.

https://www.facebook.com/events/819236594498207

[WFNR @ SCRP, 5:30 PM, April 4, 2026, Live Oak City Hall, 101 White Ave SE, Live Oak, FL]
WFNR @ SCRP, 5:30 PM, April 4, 2026, Live Oak City Hall, 101 White Ave SE, Live Oak, FL

That’s a bit of hyperbole about “all the surrounding counties,” since we have not yet heard from Hamilton, Lafayette, or Gilchrist. However, Madison and Columbia have passed resolutions, along with Suwannee County.

Update 2026-04-01: Hamilton County has been heard from:
Hamilton County Commission against the utter disrespect of SRWMD and JEA about WFNF 2023-03-24
https://wwals.net/?p=69937

For the complete set, and much more about WFNF, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

Larry Sessions represents the Upper Suwannee Basin and was reappointed June 2022 to the Governing Board of the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD). Continue reading →

NAQA’A Desalination Plant in Umm Al Quwain, U.A.E. 2019-07-09

Update 2026-03-26: Added more examples and a table.

WFNF is five times more expensive per million gallons per day than a modern Middle East seawater desalination plant. And twice as expensive as more expensive than an Australian one. Plus taking more than twice as long to build.

WFNF does nothing to reduce Jacksonville’s groundwater withdrawals. Seawater desalination could eliminate them.

And brine disposal is not just a problem: it’s an opportunity to extract minerals for profit.

For much more about WFNF, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

Five years ago in Arab News, July 9, 2019, UAE to build $900m desalination plant with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power,

“Plant in Umm Al-Quwain will produce 150 million gallons of water per day”

[NAQA’A Desalination Plant, Umm Al Quwain, U.A.E., 150 mgd potable water, $0.82 billion U.S.D.]
NAQA’A Desalination Plant, Umm Al Quwain, U.A.E., 150 mgd potable water, $0.82 billion U.S.D.

Now, in 2026, It’s operational: NAQA’A Desalination Plant in Umm Al Quwain. Continue reading →