Point of View: Cleaner Everglades means cleaner water for brewing

Although the Everglades ecosystem is not a part of the ocean that gives SaltWater Brewery its name, the Everglades gives us the water for the beer we brew. The Everglades, the United States’ largest wetland and South Florida’s iconic “River of Grass,” filters impurities in our water before recharging underground aquifers. This is especially important now, with South Florida experiencing recurrent harmful algal blooms that killed thousands of tons of wildlife, and threaten public health and Florida’s tourism-based economy.

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The Everglades provides drinking water for nearly eight million Floridians. That drinking water is also our brewing water. Beer is 90-97% water; while each brewery specializes in its own recipes, every Florida brewer depends on clean water to brew over one million barrels of beer each year.

Unfortunately, nearly a century of drainage and rerouting projects has left this vital region in desperate need of restoration. To protect our essential water resources in the Everglades and the water-cleansing power of the River of Grass, it is essential that Congress approve $200 million for Everglades restoration in the next fiscal year and ensure that the residents, businesses, and wildlife that depend on the Everglades ecosystem continue to thrive.

Small businesses like ours, with roots in South Florida, deserve a vibrant Everglades ecosystem. Our communities are supported by the tourism-dollars it generates and the water resources it maintains.

South Florida’s increasing population will only increase water demands. If aquifer levels fall as sea levels rise, many of the wells we depend on for clean, freshwater will be threatened by saltwater intrusion. Restoring water flow to the Everglades and replenishing our aquifers is a necessary step to building our resilience in the coming years.

All of Florida’s watersheds are connected. The health of our coasts here in Delray Beach and across the state is directly tied to the health of our rivers, lakes, and wetlands -- especially the Everglades. We are working with Audubon Florida to support funding and action to accelerate restoration of the Everglades, and protect our water now and for generations to come.

DUSTIN JEFFERS, DELRAY BEACH

Editor’s note: Jeffers is owner of Saltwater Brewery.