Commissioner Nikki Fried Proclaims April as Water Conservation Month in Florida, Presents Cabinet Proclamation

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, an independently-elected member of the Florida Cabinet, highlighted the importance of environmental preservation by proclaiming April as Water Conservation Month in the state of Florida.

Fried recognized water conservation by presenting leaders of the Florida Section of American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) with a proclamation on behalf of the Florida Cabinet. Proclamation recipients included Keeli Carlton of the City of Winter Haven, Jennifer Porter of the City of Tallahassee, Garann Hopkins of the City of Palm Coast, and FSAWWA advocate Jeff Littlejohn. The group was joined by Chris Pettit, Director of Agricultural Water Policy for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“Florida is like nowhere else on Earth, with 12,000 miles of rivers and streams, 7,000 lakes and ponds, 1,300 miles of coastline, natural aquifers producing eight billion gallons of fresh water each day, and the unique watershed of the Florida Everglades. These waters are the lifeblood of our state and planet – it’s so important that we do all we can to conserve water,” said Commissioner Fried. “While our department is working hard on water conservation and efficiency, we can’t do it without organizations like the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association. Thanks to their partnership, we can continue to preserve and protect Florida’s waters for generations to come.”

Commissioner Fried presents Cabinet proclamations to Florida water conservation leaders

A livestream video of the proclamation presentation may be viewed here. The Water Conservation Month proclamation reads as follows:

WHEREAS, water is a basic and essential need and critical issue facing Florida as it strives to 
maintain economic prosperity through residential growth, tourism, agriculture and construction; and

WHEREAS, demands on natural supplies of fresh water to meet the needs of a growing population 
and the needs of the environment, agriculture and industry will continue to increase; and

WHEREAS, all water users including agricultural, industrial, hospitality and other commercial, 
institutional, and private citizens can contribute to conserving Florida’s water resources; and

WHEREAS, the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) and its 
Water Use Efficiency Division advocates legislative, educational, operational and financial ‘best 
management practices’ for water resource and water supply management and stands in the forefront of 
promoting the efficient use of our state’s water resources and sound water management practices; and

WHEREAS, the FSAWWA, in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and 
Consumer Services, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida’s water management districts, 
Florida Water Environment Association, Florida Rural Water Association and Florida Public Service 
Commission, is committed to the development and implementation of statewide water use efficiency 
guidelines and policies; and

WHEREAS, sound water resource and water supply management in Florida is best achieved by 
consensus building, establishing broad educational networks, conducting water use efficiency research, 
developing appropriate best management practices, sharing data and establishing additional partnerships for 
the development of local, regional and statewide water conservation policies; and

WHEREAS, over 200 water utilities and other entities in Florida annually designate April, 
typically a dry month when water demands are most acute, as Water Conservation Month, to educate the 
public about efficient use of precious water resources and supplies; and

WHEREAS, proclaiming Water Conservation Month in Florida will assist in increasing awareness 
and prompting action to make efficient use of our state’s precious water resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Nicole Fried, Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Florida, do 
hereby designate the month of April 2021, as

WATER CONSERVATION MONTH 
in the State of Florida and call upon each citizen and business to help protect our precious resource by 
practicing water saving measures and becoming more water efficient.

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