JEA presents regional ‘Water First North Florida’ recharge plan; feasibility study, partnerships underway

Rob Zamitaro, chief operating officer for water at JEA, told the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee on Feb. 3 that a regional reclaimed‑water project called Water First North Florida is intended to restore spring and river flows by moving treated effluent out of tidal discharge and recharging the aquifer to meet state requirements. “We have about 40,000,000 gallons currently going to tide,” Zamitaro said, describing the volume the partnership is studying for conveyance and recharge.

Zamitaro traced the project’s origins to Senate Bill 64 (2021), saying compliance with the law would have been an estimated $2 billion for Jacksonville alone and that a regional solution is more feasible. He said partners that helped scope the concept include the Suwannee and St. Johns River water management districts and several utilities, and that the districts and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection produced an overview video shown to the committee.

The concept is to treat reclaimed water to high standards, run it through constructed treatment wetlands, then convey it to multiple western recharge locations to replenish aquifers and improve flows to springs such as the Ichetucknee and Lower Santa Fe. Zamitaro said the plan remains in the concept phase and that an engineering firm hired by the water management district is conducting a feasibility and preliminary design study; he estimated the program as a 10–15 year, generational project.

Zamitaro put the rough planning estimate near $1,000,000,000 and described early commitments and funding conversations: he said the water management district has pledged $125,000,000 and that a governor’s budget proposal included $35,000,000; he also said JEA’s board passed a resolution indicating JEA would contribute about $400,000,000 over the life of the project. “The governance and how that cost participation will be driven by the water management district,” he said, adding that partner contributions and cost‑share remain under negotiation.

Council members asked technical and local‑impact questions. Councilwoman Clark Murray asked whether legislation would be required to use the Peterson Tract west of Cecil Field; Zamitaro said JEA currently owns the bulk of that tract and would return to the council if additional city property or formal legislative action were needed. On water quality and public trust, Zamitaro emphasized regulation and public outreach, describing plans for a public education facility (an “H2” center) with reverse‑osmosis treatment demonstrations and tastings planned for spring–summer.

A council member asked whether moving reclaimed water would affect salinity in the St. Johns River; JEA replied that proximity to the ocean limits local salinity benefits but that removing effluent reduces nitrogen loads and supports TMDL (total maximum daily load) nitrogen credit objectives. Zamitaro described JEA’s drinking‑water use as roughly 125,000,000 gallons per day, with about 80% returning through treatment and roughly 40 MGD currently discharged to tide — the volume the project is studying for conveyance.

Zamitaro and committee members repeatedly framed the initiative as a regional response to springs’ minimum flows and levels (MFLs) and other statewide rules. He recommended public education and partnership to build trust and said feasibility work is underway; committee members did not take formal action on the presentation.

This item remains in concept and under feasibility study; staff directed interested members to the FDEP/Water First project website for further details.