The commentary highlights several pressure points: daily water use already exceeds seven billion gallons; demand is projected to rise by ~750 million gallons per day by 2045; and meeting supply needs will require roughly $2.4 billion statewide, with an estimated $777 million state share. An additional $1.4 billion is needed to sustain natural systems (excluding Everglades), including springs, aquifers, and water bodies. These needs compound as drought, heat, sea-level rise, and saltwater intrusion stress regional sources.

What Florida TaxWatch recommends: (1) establish a five-year Water Project Work Program to unify planning, selection, and multi-year budgeting; (2) reinstate a dedicated funding stream to stabilize supply investments (e.g., restore distributions that previously supported water programs); and (3) prioritize projects using consistent, data-driven criteria—coordinated among DEP, water management districts, and local governments—to maximize outcomes per dollar and reduce ad-hoc earmarking.