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Home My WebLink About1991-17911 /90/91(ihjlal)RESO/Vk RESOLUTION NO. 91- 179 A RESOLUTION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY TO THE. ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT REGARDING SHALLOW WELL EXTRAC- TION/INJECTION SYSTEM PILOT STUDY. WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation is currently evaluating a proposed shallow extraction/injection well system as an alternate method of disposing of treated effluent rather than disposing of the effluent through deep well injection; and WHEREAS, since the benefits of this pilot study will be useful for the entire St. Johns River Water Management District territory, Indian River County would like to request that the District contribute on a matching basis to the cost of the study, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Board respectfully requests that the St. Johns River Water Management District participate on a 50/50 matching basis in the proposed total budget cost of $200,000 for a pilot project studying the benefits of a shallow extraction/ injection well system as an alternative to deep well injection. The resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner S c u r l o c k and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Eggert , and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Chairman Richard N. Bird Aye Vice Chairman Gary C. Wheeler Aye Commissioner Don C. Scurlock, Jr. Ay e Commissioner Margaret C. Bowman Ay e Commissioner Carolyn K. Eggert Aye The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 3 day of December , 1991. Jef K, Belfton,• CIerk a Chairman BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA By Richard N. Bird Admin. Legal Budget Dept. Rice h;gr. 1 Telephone: (407)567.8000 December 3, 1991 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 1840 25th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Suncom Telephone: 224-1011 Mr. Henry Dean Executive Director St. John's River Water Management District Post Office Box 1429 Palatka, Florida 32078-1429 1 SUBJECT: INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ALTERNATIVE EFFLUENT DISPOSAL UTILIZING A SHALLOW WELL EXTRACTION/INJECTION SYSTEM Dear Mr. Dean: The Indian River County Department of Utility Services is currently investigating alternatives for disposing of treated wastewater effluent along coastal areas of the County. At present, percolation ponds and reuse by golf course irrigation are the primary methods of effluent disposal utilized by the County. During normal conditions, the present disposal capacity is sufficient for the County's needs. However, during wet -weather conditions, the demand for irrigation water decreases, creating a surplus of treated wastewater effluent. For additional disposal capacity during wet -weather conditions, the County is investigating two alteratives: (1) Deep well injection, and (2) Shallow well extraction/injection. At present, the County's primary interest, and the subject of this letter, is the shallow well extraction/injection system. The concept of this extraction/injection system is to hydraulically load (at a high rate) a series of percolation ponds. Around the perimeter of the ponds, a well system will extract groundwater from the vicinity of the ponds while enhancing the performance of the ponds. The extracted groundwater will then be injected into a deeper groundwater zone by a series of injection wells at a location remote from the pond site. In essence, the system will move groundwater from one location to another while enhancing the effluent disposal capacity of the percolation ponds. At first glance, other than increasing the capacity of the ponds, one may ask what benefits are there for such a well system. To answer this question, the reality of saltwater intrusion in Indian River County must be considered. It is hoped that with the strategic location of the injection wells, the inland movement of the saltwater/freshwater interface can be held stationary and eventually be forced to retreat. If this concept proves to be correct, similar injection systems may be beneficial to communities along coastal Florida. Mr. Henry Dean Page Two This injected water can later be recovered for irrigation for golf courses, residences, and citrus groves in the area during the dry season or during high groundwater demand. The system is intended to provide further natural treatment through ground filtration for nutrient and chemical removal. In essence, the system will also improve the surface water quality of the non -point source runoff to the canal system and finally to the Indian River Lagoon destination. The Florida Department of Environmental Regulation is currently evaluating this proposed shallow extraction/injection well system. Should the Department conceptually approve the proposed system, Indian River County will immediately proceed with a pilot study, which is the main reason this letter is directed to the District. The pilot study proposed has a budgeted cost of $200,000. Given the potential benefits of the system, is the District willing to provide financial assistance to cover the cost of the pilot program? Enclosed is a copy of a technical report discussing the shallow well extraction/injection concept in more detail. If your schedule permits, please review the report, and live the request for financial assistance appropriate consideration. You may contact Robert Wisemen, P.E., project manager for this project at (407) 567-8000, Extension 382, if you need additional information. If there are any questions, please advise. Very truly yours, 1 eio TAMES E. CHANDLER County Administrator Enclosures cc: Terrance G. Pinto, Director of Utility Services Robert 0. Wisemen, P.E., Environmental Engineer Joe Margio, P.E., PEC, Inc. Alex Alexander, P.E., FDER (NEXTRINJ.JEC)