SWFWMD Renews Clearwater Water Use Permit

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday renewed and modified a water use permit for the City of Clearwater.

The permit increases the permitted quantities for the city. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 6.2 million gallons of water per day. The new permitted quantity is 8 million gallons per day.

The increased quantities are based on population projections, which are predicted to increase from 116,921 to 118,366 people over the next 10 years. The increase also allows the city to meet a greater portion of its water supply needs from its wellfield and reduce water purchases from Pinellas County.

The permit requires the city to report monthly meter readings from all withdrawal points, maintain a water-conserving rate structure, continue to implement its District-approved water conservation plan, and adhere to the water quality and environmental monitoring plans.

The City of Clearwater permit expires Sept. 27, 2021.