In February 2023, contractors broke ground on a multi-billion dollar project that has been decades in the making: building a reservoir the size of Manhattan in the South Florida Everglades. The reservoir, which is part of an historic restoration of the Everglades ecosystem, is intended to help bring a secure, long-term supply of clean drinking water to Florida's residents.
The “Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan” was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000, and includes 68 infrastructure projects across Florida. The project is due to be completed in 2029.
The state's water supply has been put under immense pressure due to rapid population growth. Between 2020 and 2040, the population is expected to grow by 23% (4.8 million people) to 26.4 million while water demands are expected to increase by 13%. It's the nation's second fastest growing state.
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