Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. (GIWA) will be submitting its annual Per Capita water withdrawal report to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) this spring. This permit limits the amount of well water GIWA is allowed to withdraw and treat for your potable water and as a gallons per person per day limit. Since withdrawals are based on population, a very important component of the application is an accurate population figure that not only includes when our seasonal residents are occupying their homes, but also an approximate number of guests our residents have during the year and any short-term rentals.

GIWA’s previous survey has expired and our daily per person use is close to the limits set by SWFWMD; however, if our current population is consistent with the previous survey reported in 2010, we should still be in compliance with our permitted limits. US Census data underrepresents our population and would result in exceeding our per person daily limits.

A short population survey will be mailed to all residential homeowners on February 22, 2024. The data collected from the survey will help GIWA determine a more accurate population figure for Gasparilla Island. The population figures for vacation rental homes will be calculated using a formula provided by SWFWD.

GIWA would like to thank its membership in advance for participation in the survey. If you have any questions, please contact us at (941) 964-2423.

Ronald Bolton
Executive Director