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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/21/2007 (2)INDEX TO MINUTES OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC WORKSHOP ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY MASTER PLAN JUNE 21, 2007 1. CALL TO ORDER 1 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1 3. INTRODUCTIONS 2 4. PROJECT HISTORY 2 A. OVERVIEW OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR WORKSHOP 2 B. NORTH COUNTY WATER TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION 2 C. CONCERNS BY LOCAL GROUPS AND COMMITTEES 3 5. ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY PLAN OVERVIEW 3 A. ALTERNATIVES EVALUATED 3 B. PROS AND CONS OF EACH OPTION 3 C. COST ESTIMATES FOR EACH OPTION 4 D. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULES 5 E. INTERIM NEEDS (LE. CONTINUED UPPER FLORIDANAQUIFER) 5 F. RECOMMENDATIONS 5 G. NEXT STEP 5 1 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP H. ADDENDUM TO ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY PLAN TO ADDRESS PRELIMINARY COMMENTS 6 6. ST. JOHN'S RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT UPDATE 6 A. RESERVOIR PROJECT COMPLETION STATUS 6 B. SUSTAINABILITY OF RESERVOIR SUPPLIES 6 C. STATUS OF TREASURE COAST MODELING 7 D. INCLUSION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY IN PRIORITY WATER RESOURCE CAUTION AREA 7 7. BOARD QUESTIONS 8 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS 9 9. BOARD DISCUSSION AND COMMENTS 11 10. ADJOURNMENT 13 2 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP June 21, 2007 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC WORKSHOP ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY MASTER PLAN JUNE 21, 2007 The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met in a Public Workshop at the County Commission Chambers, 1840 25th Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Thursday, June 21, 2007, to discuss Alternative Water Supply. Present were Chairman Gary C. Wheeler, Vice Chair Sandra L. Bowden, Commissioners Wesley S. Davis, Joseph E. Flescher, and Peter D. O'Bryan. Also present were Assistant County Attorney Marian Fell, and Deputy Clerk Leona Adair Allen. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Wheeler called the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Gary C. Wheeler led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 1 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP 3. INTRODUCTIONS Utilities Services Director Erik Olson introduced the following individuals: Deputy Director of St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) Mike Slayton; Utility Services Engineer Himanshu Mehta; Capital Projects Manager Mike Hotchkiss; Henry Dean with Water Management; Jill Grimaldi and Dr. Patrick Gleason, Consultants with Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc. (CDM) 4. PROJECT HISTORY Director Olson provided a brief history of the project, announced that this public workshop was the second of two, and stated the purpose was to develop a future pathway to supplement the County's current water supply system and water treatment process. Through a PowerPoint presentation, he provided a "demand and implementation schedule", which reflected production capacity and maximum customer demands from 2005 through 2025. Director Olson informed the Board that the decisions made at this workshop would be formally introduced to the Board in July, and that the project would need to be in place by 2017. A. OVERVIEW OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR WORKSHOP B. NORTH COUNTY WATER TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION Utility Service Engineer Himanshu Mehta, used a PowerPoint presentation to brief the Board on the County's two water treatment plants, pointing out that the County's public water supply has been relying on the North and South Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants for over 25 years. Engineer Mehta explained that the Master Plan of 2004 provided for the expansion of the North County water plant, and said the expected completion would be in 2009. He disclosed the details of the expansion phase and said that it would give capacity through 2011, emphasizing that the expansion would be a five-year process. 2 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP C CONCERNS BY LOCAL GROUPS AND COMMITTEES Engineer Mehta reported that various groups expressed concerns regarding the addition of the Floridan Aquifer wells in the north part of the County. Their concern was the increased pumping that would reduce the artesian pressure and increase the chlorides in the nearby wells. To address the concerns, it was decided to: (1) curtail the request for six wells and move forward with the construction of only three wells; and (2) conduct sampling of neighboring wells to establish baseline conditions in order to measure impacts of the new wells when on line. 5. ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY PLAN OVERVIEW Dr. Pat Gleason, through a PowerPoint presentation, detailed each water supply alternative and spoke of the pros and cons of each (options shown below). A. ALTERNATIVES EVALUATED B. PROS AND CONS OF EACH OPTION (1) UPPER FLORIDAN AQUIFER (UFA) Pros: This is an established treatment process with current technology; it is reliable and sustainable through 2025, and the installation of six new wells would have low -pump capacities. Cons: Potential impacts to neighboring wells and long-term reliability. (2) SURFACE WATER SOURCES (includes: SJRWMD Upper Basin Projects, Water Control Districts, C-54 Canal, and the connection of the C-25 Canal and Upper Basin Project) Pros: Resources are plentiful, operations and maintenance costs are the lowest of all technologies, deep well injection wells are not necessary to rid waste products, Fellsmere's 3 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP water management area is to be constructed by 2015, and the aquifer storage and recovery wells could improve reliability during drought conditions. Cons: Since this would be a different technology it would take different membranes; a lengthy pipeline; available quantities still need to be determined by SJRWMD; much of Fellsmere's water management area had already been committed to SunAg; the reconnection of C-25 and the Upper Basin project discussion are on hold; source water will require protection from contamination; and the Aquifer storage and recovery are subject to permitting uncertainties. (3) SURFICIAL AQUIFER (shallow wells) Pros: There is adequate and available supply, it would cost less than the current technology because it is less salty, requiring less energy to convert it, and there is no anticipated impact on Upper Floridan Aquifer wells. Cons: Since this would be a different technology, it would take different membranes, production rates would be lower because it is a shallow well, land acquisition is required for well sites, well field protection concerns, a highly variable water quality, high maintenance and the impact on adjacent homeowner wells. (4) SEAWATER DESALINATION (ocean or boulder zone) Pros: Unlimited water availability. Cons: It is the most expensive technology because it is energy intensive, it would be a different technology requiring different membranes, and it could require a feasibility study. C. COST ESTIMATES FOR EACH OPTION Dr. Gleason, through a PowerPoint presentation, provided a cost comparison analysis for each alternative water supply and explained how the treatment costs had been equalized on the basis of what it would cost to produce a thousand gallons of drinking water. He 4 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP said the operation maintenance cost and capital costs were rolled into a production cost, which would be paid for over 20 -years, with seven percent (7%) interest. D. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULES Dr. Gleason used a PowerPoint schedule to explain each option, the estimated years for implementation, and the actions that would be required. E. INTERIM NEEDS (LE. CONTINUED UPPER FLORIDANAQUIFER) Dr. Gleason informed the Board that upon completion of the current expansion, it would meet demands through 2011. He noted that if the County would implement an alternative source, such as surface water, it could take approximately ten years to complete it. Since an interim source would be needed between now and the next ten years, he proposed installing the final three Upper Floridan Aquifer wells at the North County to bridge the gap, and once a new source is constructed and on line, the Upper Floridan Aquifer withdrawals could be reduced, with the difference being supplied by the alternative source. F. RECOMMENDATIONS Dr. Gleason recommended the long term source to be surface water, and emphasized the County should work closely with SJRWMD. He suggested using aquifer storage and recovery to minimize drought impacts, and to use additional Upper Floridan Aquifer wells to bridge the gap for implementation. He recounted the development of a new surface water treatment plant and said it would be desirable to submit a permit application to SJRWMD as soon as possible to begin the ten-year process. G. NEXT STEP Dr. Gleason summarized his presentation by suggesting the Board approve the recommended option. He wanted to receive public comments, then finalize the Alternative 5 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP Water Supply Plan, authorize Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc. to identify specific surface water sources for the permitting process, evaluate the site constraints at the North County water treatment plant, and look at land acquisition for the new treatment plant. H. ADDENDUM TO ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY PLAN TO ADDRESS PRELIMINARY COMMENTS Dr. Gleason continued his presentation by revealing public comments and concerns, and then addressing each concern. 6. ST. JOHN'S RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT UPDATE Mike Slayton, Deputy Director, St. Johns River Water Management District, informed the Board that a coalition in Washington is working on a Bill that would establish tax credit bonds for the construction of desalination facilities. He confirmed that there would be a 20 -year interest free loan where the lender would get an indexed dollar value that could be deducted from their taxes. A. RESERVOIR PROJECT COMPLETION STATUS Director Slayton expressed that Indian River County is "ahead of the curve" and that the County has an interim strategy to meet short-term needs. He emphasized the importance of staff and SJRWMD working together to review the various surface water sources, water budgeting, and to decide which source or combination of sources would be the most productive to pursue. B. SUSTAINABILITY OF RESERVOIR SUPPLIES Director Slayton explained that the County's surface water is thin, and there was a lot of it. 6 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP C STATUS OF TREASURE COAST MODELING Director Slayton informed the Board that Indian River County is "ahead of the curve." D. INCLUSION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY IN PRIORITY WATER RESOURCE CAUTION AREA Director Slayton disclosed that there are a number of mechanisms to develop and that SJRWMD stands ready to work arm -in -arm with the County's staff Commissioner O'Bryan said that during the first workshop, Kirby Green explained the consumptive use permit process as a "first -come -first -serve process". Commissioner O'Bryan voiced concerns that since Indian River County is a more moderate, slower growing community, it may get "shut -out" because a faster growing community could request a consumptive use permit first and get the dibs on water. He asked if SJRWMD could commit some of the water to this County to ensure that we do not get shut out. Mr. Slayton said that under Florida law, it is "first in time with a demonstrated need." He said you have to "creditably show the growth pattern that drives that demand." Director Olson summarized key points and reminded the Board that the County has been proactive in analyzing clear projections, evaluating where we are today, where we need to be tomorrow, and where we need to be in 2017. He said the County is currently at a point to come to a closure, and he felt that the County should move toward the surface water process as the alternate augmenting source. He explained that this source would allow for a flexible process "by not putting all the eggs in one basket". 7 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP 7. BOARD QUESTIONS Commissioner Davis asked if the C-25 canal, in St. Lucie County, was primarily used to discharge water in the event of flooding. Dr. Gleason confirmed that it was used for flood control and water supply. Commissioner Davis wanted to know the correct process for permitting regarding surface water retention. Dr. Gleason emphasized that the County should coordinate all work with SJRWMD and seek their assistance in evaluating which source to use because they are involved in the permitting of the project. Vice Chair Bowden voiced concerns over water quality and wanted to know how the County's water was rated. Dr. Gleason reported that the water quality is rated high. Chairman Wheeler wanted clarification on the water when it is taken from the ocean versus the boulder zone. Dr Gleason pointed out that the ocean water would need to go through a coagulation process to remove the organisms before it could be processed through the membrane system, but the boulder zone water probably would not. Chairman Wheeler asked if the technology for converting ocean or boulder zone water would be more cost effective in the near future. Dr. Gleason affirmed that membrane technology continues to improve; however, energy costs continue to increase making it very expensive to convert ocean water. Chairman Wheeler asked for an explanation pertaining to water cost and what would be included. Dr. Gleason responded that the cost for the Upper Floridan Aquifer would include the wells, water treatment, operation maintenance, construction of all the engineering costs, as well as the energy cost, but it would not include the cost for the water leaving the plant. 8 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP Chairman Wheeler wanted to know if the brine from the ocean water could be marketed and Dr. Gleason said he was not aware of any opportunity to sell the brine. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS The Chairman opened the public hearing. David Gunter, Chairman of the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation, said that his Board had concluded over a year ago that surface water was the best alternative water source to add to the County's water supply plan, and he was pleased to see that staff agreed. He felt that it is the most readily and renewable resource for water supply and urged the Board to move in that direction. Bob Ulevich, Administrator of the Sebastian River Water Control District (SJRWMD), echoed Mr. Gunter's comments and applauded the direction in which the County is heading. There was a brief question and answer period regarding water allocation, discharge and permitting. Lex Kromhout agreed with the previous speakers and pointed out that combining the fresh surface water reservoir with the superficial aquifer would show tremendous promise for the County. He urged the Board to consider conservation and "purple pipe" pressurizing, instead of putting the reuse water into the storage retention ponds. 9 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP Chairman Wheeler asked why putting reuse water into retention ponds was a bad idea. Director Olson explained that all of the County's wastewater is converted to reuse (purple pipe) and most of that water, in the past, had gone to golf courses; however, that process is being transitioned to pressurized reuse lines. He said reuse water is disinfected and clean, but because nutrients, nitrogen, and phosphorous are in the reuse water, these elements would eventually transition into the ground water system. Bob Adair, Chairman of the Agriculture Advisory Committee, said that the recommendations presented had merit. He encouraged the Board to be proactive and move forward with an alternative water supply. He also encouraged the Board to look at the diversity of water supplies and felt the reuse water option should be considered as a water supply. Mr. Adair recommended the County invest in a pressurized system instead of the passive low- pressure system. He wanted to see reuse water be used for agricultural purposes as it becomes available. Mr. Adair said he would like to see the County fund a mobile irrigation laboratory through the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Water Management District, and to have trained personnel go into the urban areas and make sure people's systems are operating properly. He wanted to know about the status of the Treasure Coast Model and when the plan was due. Rich Burkley, SJRWMD, informed Mr. Adair and the Board that the model would be a numerical model capable of looking at the cumulative and regional impacts. Currently the districts are in the process of gathering data and developing the model; he anticipated the model to be completed in October 2007. He explained that this would be a public domain tool that consultants could use to discern what the impacts would be. Bob Adair wanted to know why the ability to expand the south water treatment plant could not be done with another well and was curious why the County would not consider putting wells there, as opposed to the north County well field. Director Olson informed Mr. 10 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP Adair that SJRWMD had been given the green light for the County to apply for the south plant expansion for both wells and consumptive use. Mr. Adair reiterated that the Board be very cautious not to adversely impact adjacent wells. The Chairman called for a recess at 3:09 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 3:24 p.m. with everyone present. Kevin O'Dare, a local farmer, said his 600 -foot artesian well produces a very poor quality of water. He voiced concern for the future and felt desalination would be the best alternative water source even though it would initially cost more. Dr. Baker thought the report was heading in the right direction, but said the homework is still in the details. He felt there needed to be a commitment from SJRWMD for future water, and he perceived the modeling in the report was weak. Dr. Baker voiced concern regarding the salt from the deep wells being dispelled into the lagoon. He advised the Board that it needed to be looked at statewide, not by individual counties, and suggested the Board consider boulder zone water. 9. BOARD DISCUSSION AND COMMENTS Commissioner Davis felt there was a void in the surficial aquifer. He wanted to see the County utilize the wells at the north and south ends of the County, then take the step to utilize surface water. He relayed that diversity is the key to this situation and having a renewal resource in the Floridan Aquifer would work best. He felt that going to the western end of the County and utilizing storm water retention would have merit from an environmental standpoint. Commissioner Davis believed the County would eventually require saltwater desalination but until then he preferred pulling it out of the boulder zone versus the ocean. He suggested looking 11 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP across the jurisdictional boundaries between the two water control districts to prevent that water from going into the lagoon. He also suggested sitting down with Fellsmere to discuss future water options before annexations take place. Commissioner O'Bryan felt the County needed to take a broader approach and rethink how to attack the process. He supported surface water, but voiced concerns that given a ten year period, we could be spending millions of dollars to build a surface water treatment plant and start laying millions of dollars worth of pipeline without any type of guarantee that we will get water from the pipeline. He also voiced concern on how we would move forward without knowing where we would get the water. Commissioner O'Bryan requested the County provide more details regarding the boulder zone water supply because he thought it might be the most consistent and steady, and the County would not be dependent upon what neighboring Counties would demand. He wanted more information regarding the options before committing millions of dollars to building a water treatment plant that may not produce water. Vice Chair Bowden thanked staff, CDM, and SJRWMD for their efforts. She felt that all the suggestions were good and wanted to incorporate as much as possible into the plan for the future. She emphasized that the County could not plan too early nor too thoroughly. Commissioner Flescher remarked that the research was more upbeat and everyone was more consistent with their opinions than in past workshops. He was pleased that there was consensus with the Upper Floridan Aquifer, and ground water being sufficient for the future needs of the County. He shared concerns regarding the by-product of desalination and wanted to see more exploration of the possible uses of the by-product. He supported the diverse grouping of resources. Chairman Wheeler thanked the public for their participation and echoed Commissioner Davis' comments regarding future meetings with Fellsmere. 12 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP 10. ADJOURNMENT THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE BOARD There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded and carried, the Board adjourned at 3:45 p.m. ATTEST: Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk Gary C. Wheeler, Chairman Minutes Approved: Alternative Water Workshop/LAA/2007 13 June 21, 2007 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPY MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP