2010-252A (19) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Comprehensive Plan Potable Water Sub-Element Community Development Department Indian River County 3 indicated in the Master Plan, the County Utilities Department has the responsibility for operation of the county's potable water system. Since 1990, significant expansion of the County’s potable water system has occurred. From 1990 to 2008, the potable water system not only increased its geographic service area, it also significantly increased its customer base. During that time, the number of water customers increased by 137% (from 17,000 to 40,300 customers), while the number of private water treatment plants operating in the county decreased from 29 to 4. Because most of the main water lines called for in the Master Plan have been installed, centralized potable water service is now available to most of the urban service area. POTABLE WATER FACILITIES Generally, potable water facilities consist of a water supply, treatment plants, storage facilities, and a distribution system. While a potable water system’s water supply source can be surface water, groundwater, or a combination of both, the water source is usually a reflection of the type of water available and the cost of developing the source. Before being used for public consumption, most water must undergo treatment. Treatment removes impurities from raw water in order to improve its quality for either public health, aesthetic reasons, or both. After treatment, potable water is supplied to individual users by way of a network of pipes and storage reservoirs. Large transmission lines, called distribution mains, form the “spine” or frame of the distribution network. Those main lines carry water to major demand areas and interconnect with a network of smaller lines which serve individual projects such as subdivisions and shopping centers. The smallest lines of the distribution network supply individual houses and establishments. In many cases, the distribution network is inter-connected to form flow loops to allow water to circulate within the system to areas of highest demand. In order to provide adequate flow to meet demand, water is delivered under pressure. Throughout the day, demand for water varies. Usually, morning and evening are the times of peak demand. These peaks correspond to periods of highest residential usage. A second type of peak demand occurs when water is utilized for fighting fires. In order to provide adequate quantities and pressure to meet peak and fire flow demands, water storage tanks are used. During low demand periods, water is pumped into these storage tanks. During peak demand periods, water is pumped from the tanks back into the system to augment flows and maintain pressure. Ground level and elevated storage tanks are both commonly used. Sometimes, the distribution system includes auxiliary pumps which operate only during peak demand periods.