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I <br />BOOK <br />BACKGROUND <br />Indian River County began operating the North County Water Treatment Plant in June <br />1998. The plant design is similar to the South County Water Treatment Plant <br />implementing state-of-the-art membrane treatment technology. A byproduct of the <br />treatment system is a brine solution which is high in chlorides or salt and is permitted by <br />the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) as an industrial waste. The <br />County's water treatment facilities discharge the concentrate into the Indian River, an <br />Outstanding Florida water body. Discharges at both facilities are monitored and analyzed <br />routinely according to FDEP permit requirements. County staff is currently involved <br />with the renewal of the South County plant operating permit. Camp Dresser & McKee, <br />Inc. (CDM) has assisted County staff with this effort and will continue to provide <br />engineering and permitting services as needed to enable permit issuance/renewal. <br />At the present time, the Department of Utility Services has a continuing consultant <br />services contract for Water Treatment Plants with the engineering firm of Camp Dresser <br />& McKee Inc., (CDM). The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners on <br />November 17, 1999 renewed this contract. <br />ANALYSIS <br />The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been reviewing concentrate discharges <br />such as these and is currently formulating legislation regarding this issue. FDEP and <br />water management districts are struggling with the issue throughout the state. <br />Additionally, public interest groups are pushing for total removal of discharges to water <br />bodies such as the Indian River. <br />This work authorization is for the County's continuing consultant for water facilities, <br />Camp, Dresser, & McKee to assist County staff in reviewing the existing concentrate <br />system, water quality sampling data and techniques, alternate disposal methods, and <br />additional treatment systems. CDM will recommend alternate disposal methods and/or <br />additional treatment systems, if applicable, for the North County Water Treatment Plant. <br />CDM will also attend County brine disposal team monthly meetings for the next six- (6) <br />months. The County's long range goal is to minimize or perhaps stop discharges to the <br />Indian River at both facilities. CDM has also been asked to assist County staff with the <br />remaining permitting issues associated with the South County Water Treatment Plant. A <br />separate work authorization will be submitted to address these issues at a later date. <br />RECOMENDATIONS <br />It is staff's recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approve the <br />attached work authorization (Exhibit A) for engineering and permitting services to <br />address concentrate disposal issues at the North County Water Treatment Plant to CDM <br />for the upper limit amount of $25,450. Funding will come from Fund 471, Account # <br />471-235-536-033.13. <br />County utility staff will continue to monitor all pending regulations regarding this issue <br />and investigate similar opportunities at the South County Water Treatment Plant. <br />December 7, 1999 <br />106 <br />0 0 <br />