- May 24, 2026
Dear Editor:
Palm Coast residents are being told to conserve water and limit landscape irrigation to one day per week because of ongoing water supply concerns. Most homeowners understand the need for conservation and are willing to do their part.
What is difficult to understand, however, is how the same city leadership asking existing residents to sacrifice continues approving massive new residential developments at a rapid pace. Every new subdivision brings hundreds of additional homes, each requiring water for daily living, irrigation, pools, and infrastructure. The math simply does not add up.
If our current water resources are already strained to the point that homeowners can only irrigate once a week, then where will the water come from to support hundreds of additional residents? Existing homeowners should not bear the burden of conservation while unchecked growth continues without adequate long-term planning for water infrastructure and supply.
Growth itself is not the enemy. Irresponsible growth is. That means ensuring roads, schools, emergency services, and especially water resources are in place before approving more large-scale development projects.
Residents deserve transparency and honest answers. Has the city fully evaluated the long-term impact these developments will have on our aquifer and water system? What guarantees exist that current residents will not face even stricter restrictions in the future? At what point does growth outpace sustainability?
Palm Coast is a beautiful community because of its neighborhoods, landscaping, and quality of life. Asking residents to conserve while simultaneously accelerating development sends conflicting messages and raises legitimate concerns about priorities and planning.
Citizens are doing their part. It is time for city leadership to demonstrate the same level of responsibility.
John Negovetich
Palm Coast
