St. Johns River Water Management District

The St. Johns River Water Management District is a regional agency responsible for the stewardship of water resources across a large portion of northeast Florida, including the St. Johns River and its tributaries. It regulates the withdrawal and use of surface and groundwater through a permitting system designed to ensure sustainable supplies for municipal, agricultural, and industrial users. The district also monitors water quality, implements restoration projects, and manages conservation lands to protect ecosystems and maintain natural floodplain functions. In addition to resource management, it provides technical assistance and data to local governments, utilities, and the public to support informed water‑use planning. Its activities are guided by state statutes that mandate balancing human water needs with the preservation of the region’s natural habitats.

As one of Florida’s five water management districts, the St. Johns River Water Management District holds a distinct regulatory authority that sets it apart from pure service providers, enabling it to enforce water‑use limits and environmental standards across its jurisdiction. The district’s scope includes both urban centers such as Jacksonville and extensive rural areas, giving it a unique position to coordinate water policy across varied land uses. Its notable competencies involve integrated water‑resource planning, long‑term climate resilience strategies, and the administration of large‑scale land acquisition for conservation. The agency confirmed a cyber incident on November 22 2023, when suspicious IT activity led to a containment response and a subsequent ransomware claim, underscoring the growing cybersecurity challenges faced by water‑sector organizations. While the district does not directly operate industrial control systems for water treatment, it continues to monitor its networks and collaborate with state and federal partners to mitigate persistent threats.