Some environmentalists, such as Reid Hughes, a member of the St. Johns River Water Management District, blame development for the water shortage. Housing and businesses are sprouting up all over as millions of people move to Florida to retire and enjoy the climate. In 1950, according to Florida census documents, there were 2.8 million people living in Florida. In 1990, there were 12.9 million people in Florida. The water situation is getting worse and development is not stopping, Hughes said.
Concrete continues to take the place of grass and swamplands.
In 1999, rainfall decreased from 1998 by an average of 2 inches. Well levels are consistently lower than normal for the past two years in Volusia County, reports Tom Carey, groundwater program manager for Volusia County. The average rainfall in the United States is 27 inches per year. But most of the nation has melting snow added to their water supply in spring. Florida has an average of 54 inches a year and Volusia County averages about 51 inches.