Volusia County is shaped by water—from its Atlantic shores to the St. Johns River to alluring inland springs and the Floridan Aquifer that underlies it all.
For the health of the environment and those who call it “home,” maintaining the quality of all the water is essential. Fortunately, Volusia County has long proved itself up to the task.
As we approach Water Quality Month this August, we are highlighting a few of the most unique features that make Volusia County’s water stand apart from the rest—as well as some of the ways water quality can impact local industries. Take a look.
Water that “wows” the competition
When it has been put to the test, Volusia County’s water has often passed with flying colors.
Noted in particular for its quality and taste, Daytona Beach drinking water is a multi-year winner of the Berkeley Springs Contest, an international competition that rates drinking water from across the globe. Having earned top honors here is a testament to the pure, unparalleled quality of the city’s water—but it is not the only way Daytona Beach H2O stands out.
To help let others enjoy the award-winning flavor with a bit of flair, the city offers businesses, groups and individuals the chance to purchase packs of custom-label water bottles. Not only does this give locals and visitors alike the chance to taste the famous flavor (which, unlike other bottled water, is subject to municipal standards)—it also serves as an excellent promotional tool, too.
Leading a statewide trend
It perhaps comes as no surprise that Volusia County is known for water quality—especially considering that the state as a whole received a number-six spot on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of states’ drinking water, and the number-one spot for natural environment overall.
Drinking water can serve as a reflection of the overall quality of a region’s water sources, which, naturally, are integral to industries such as manufacturing, tourism and many more.
An investment in H2O
To ensure that that the region’s reputation for water quality continues long into the future, Volusia County has made investments in its H2O. One such example is Project H2O, a collaborative project between the county, local universities and green organizations that aims to improve area waterways through outreach and education. Another key investment in the area’s aquatic future is an almost $400 million project, announced in 2015, that will further improve upon local wastewater and stormwater management.
Why does it matter?
For companies with locations in Volusia County, the region’s water quality has a clear impact on industrial uses of H2O: in powering mechanical processes, for instance, or preparing food, paper, and many other products for distribution. That this water is clean and easily accessible is, thus, of importance to regional businesses—but the connection does not stop there. Every industry—even those that don’t use water in the industrial process—benefit from being in a community where residents are able to access the basic necessity of clean, pure water, and where the local environment is free of issues that might hamper that access.
In a region where life, tourism, and industry so heavily revolve around water, initiatives that maintain its quality are especially worthwhile. The area’s made a name for itself thus far, but future innovation promises even better things for the aquatic makeup of the Greater Daytona Region—and that’s great news for residents, visitors and businesses alike.
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