Summary 
The Central Florida Water Resource Development Project is an integral component in the development of alternative water supplies for the region. Characterized by its landlocked nature, central Florida communities have limited options in the development of alternative water supplies. A long-term plan for the identification and development of alternative water supply opportunities for Polk County will offer a comprehensive approach to limit development pressure on ground water in the Southern Water Use Caution Area.
A regional supplier will develop a surface water supply near Lake Kissimmee, blend it with other potable supplies and distribute the water through interconnects with nearby municipal systems. This option would be located in the South Florida Water Management District near the Polk/Osceola county line. Neighboring utilities in the District that could interconnect with this system include Polk County Utilities and the cities of Lakeland, Lake Alfred, Auburndale, Winter Haven, Lake Hamilton, Haines City, Davenport and Dundee. Additional utilities and municipalities in the St. Johns River and South Florida water management districts could also obtain potable drinking water through this project.
