SWFWMD water permit data show that Gasparilla Islanders are conservation-minded

The Gasparilla Island Water Association announced this week that the island’s water consumption has actually decreased, even with a slight increase in population.

A withdrawal permit, issued by Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) in 2011, included a requirement that islanders reduce daily average water use per person from an average of 176 gallons to 164 gallons per person by December 31, 2014, and to reduce to 150 gallons per person by December 31, 2019.

“We are pleased to announce we not only met, but exceeded our 2014 mandate, with a reduction to 158 gallons per person per day,” said Bonnie Pringle, executive director of the GIWA.

"Water usage was up last year, and we feared an increase in per capita usage; however, a higher than expected increase in population reduced per person usage two gallons per day from 2013,” said Pringle. “While an increase of only 57 people may seem miniscule, every person counts in these calculations.”