The South Florida Water Management District, the oldest and largest water management agency in the State of Florida, provided $4.5 million to the City of Port St. Lucie and more than $1.3 million to Martin County to fund alternative water supply initiatives in 2007. South Florida Water Management District Governing Board member Len Lindahl presented each agency with oversized ceremonial checks in January.

In Port St. Lucie, the funds will be part of a $17.5 million Florida Wellfield and Reverse Osmosis project that will reduce reliance on the surficial aquifer.

In Martin County, the funds will be used towards three different projects including the Tropical Farms Reverse Osmosis expansion, the Tropical Farms reclaimed water production facility expansion and the High Meadow Avenue reclaimed water transmission main that will ultimately produce 13.68 million gallons/day of "new" water, reducing reliance on the surficial aquifer.