As Water Wars Rage, State May Step In

Conflicts involving Central Florida's water supply are heating up even as the Legislature considers ways to impose further controls on the state's regional water regulators.

A major fight over a little-known reservoir in east Orange and Osceola counties is being fought behind closed doors. There's renewed controversy over pumping from the St. Johns River, now that a four-year study has concluded the river can withstand heavy withdrawals to satisfy future population growth. And local environmental officials have just been warned that Wekiwa Springs, more than 40 miles from the ocean, is getting saltier.

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