Loading...
Minutes 02-25-03IqTNUTES OF THE CITY COf41qISSTON WORKSHOP REGARDTNG WATER RESOURCE PLANNTNG HELD AT THE EAST WATER TREATI~tENT PLANT~ BOYNTON BEACH~ FLORI~DA~ ON TUESDAY~ FEBRUARY 25~ 2003 AT 5:00 P.M. Present Gerald Broening, Mayor Mike Ferguson, Vice Mayor Mack McCray, Commissioner Carl McKoy, Commissioner Ron Weiland, Commissioner Kurt Bressner, City Manager Dale Sugerman, Assistant City Manager Pete Mazzella, Deputy Utilities Director Mark Law, Deputy Utilities Director Bob Kenyon, Deputy Utilities Director Mark Bobich, Environmental Coordinator Paul Fleming, Senior Project Manager Barb Conboy, Manager, Utilities Administration .lohn Reynolds, Chief Operator Janet Prainito, City Clerk City Manager Bressner called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. He introduced members of the Water Resources Management Team who had prepared the report concerning Potable Water Capacity Expansion Options (marked "Exhibit A" and attached to the original minutes on file in the office of the City Clerk). He explained that the purpose of the workshop was to discuss water resource planning for the community and long-range policy recommendations. The City is waiting for a decision from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) regarding a proposal to expand the amount of water that we are allowed to take from the shallow aquifer. City Manager Bressner said that staff is facing some major questions - how far in advance should we be constructing utility expansion and what type of additional water allocation can we expect to receive from the SFWMD. Another component is the use of recycled water. Boynton Beach has distribution lines on Congress Avenue and a number of golf courses use that water. From staff's perspective, the most significant benefit that would be derived from using recycled water would be to get that water to the barrier island since they use potable water for irrigation. Vice Mayor Ferguson asked whether Boynton Beach is allocated less water than Delray Beach and Boca Raton and it was confirmed that this was the case. City Manager Bressner explained that this was a preview of a recommendation that will be going to the City Commission in March to authorize work with engineering firms for task orders. :In answer to a question from Commissioner McCray regarding water rates, City Manager Bressner stated that the rates would not be known until the analysis is completed and a rate study is performed. Meeting Minutes City Commission Workshop Bovntpn Beach, Flpri~la February25,2003) Mr. Ma77ella said that certain events over the past ten years have dramatically changed the outlook of water use and management in Florida. Those changes are now impacting Boynton Beach and will continue to impact us. Three major events exerted this impact: the Everglades Restoration Lawsuit and Settlement, the unprecedented housing boom, and the draught of 2000/01. Mr. Mazzella presented a Powerpoint presentation regarding potable water capacity. The presentation included a map showing most of our Utilities service area and the location of the West and East wellfields. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) permit allows 14.86 million gallons daily (MGD) of raw water withdrawals from the surficial aquifer and the average daily raw water demand from our customers is 15.63 MGD. The City's capabilities for average raw water are 10 MGD from the West Plant and 8 MGD from the East Plant. Mr. Mazzella explained that the current permitting conditions require the West Plant to operate at 100% of its capacity except for scheduled maintenance. Raw water taken from the Eastern wellfield is currently limited to 8 MGD (annual average) by the SFWMD permit. These permitting conditions put some constraints on us. The current peak daily demand for treated water is 18.4 MGD. The East Plant can produce up to (approximately) 12 MGD of treated water on a peak day, based upon wellfield production capabilities. The West Plant can produce up to (approximately) 8.8 MGD of treated water on a peak day. This totals peak day production capability of 20.8 MGD. Mr. Mazzella then explained that there is now available a reserve capacity of 2.4 MGD. After deducting projects with a firm reservation (1.24 MGD) and other projects now under review (0.49 MGD), there is an unrestricted reserve remaining of 0.67 MGD. 2010 the peak demand is anticipated to be 26 MGD or higher contingent upon future density increases and the economy. Mr. Mazzella then discussed the infrastructure limitations. The potable Water Distribution System is designed for approximately 20 MGD from the East Water Treatment Plant and 16 MGD from the West Water Treatment Plant. The West Water Treatment Plant raw Water piping is designed for a 16 MGD treatment plant and the East Water Treatment Plant raw Water piping is designed for a 24 MGD treatment plant and is now limited by wellfield production. Commissioner McCray asked whether we could buy water from another city if necessary and Mr. Kenyon answered that we could buy water from Palm Beach County Water Utilities or the City of Delray Beach and we are negotiating with the City of Lake Worth and the Town of Lantana. Meeting Minutes City Commission Workshop Bovnton Be~ch, FIQrid~ February 25, 2003) :In answer to a question regarding the water pressure, it was explained that the pressure is the same or higher than in the past unless we are under draught conditions. City Manager Bressner suggested that a tour of both treatment plants be scheduled for the Commissioners. Mr. Mazzella stated that the Utilities Department's goals were as follows: · Meet current and future customer demands · Produce a high quality water product, meeting all standards for pressure and flow · Select cost-effective options for capital expansion and long-term operations · Keep water rates affordable · Maximize use of water resource by using multiple sources He then explained that the proposed plan was to expand the West Water Treatment Plant using surficial wells to a treatment capacity of 16 MGD. These wells have been there since the plant was built. In order to reach a capacity of 16 MGD, two phases are proposed. Phase i would gain 1 MGD by replacing membranes on the older trains and this would be very cost effective. Phase 2 of the expansion would net a 7 MGD addition. Phase I would cost approximately $1.5 million and phase 2 would be $10-12 million. The entire proposed plan is subject to the SFWMD permit being approved with an increased allocation. The time frame, if begun immediately, would be 12 months for phase 1 and 36 months for phase 2. Phase 3 involves rebuilding portions of the East Water Treatment Plant to add 8-12 MGD of Low Pressure Reverse Osmosis treatment (raw water from the Floridan Aquifer). This process would be more difficult and would be complete in 3-5 years. ~[n order to implement the plan, Mr. Mazzella explained that the requested immediate actions at the March 18 City Commission meeting would be: · Schedule approval of a Task Order for bringing additional west wells on-line · Schedule approval of a Task Order to: a) increase capacity at the West Plant by replacing old membranes; and b) authorize moving forward with the West Plant expansion · Schedule approval of a Task Order for replacing two of the non-producing east wellfields ~[n response to Commissioner Weiland's question regarding whether the additional 8 MGD would take us to the projected peak demand for the year 2010, Mr. Mazzella said that it would depend on the rate of development and the intensity of densities, 3 Meeting Minutes City Commission Workshop Bovnton Be~ch, Flpridp February 25, 2003~ especially in the downtown area. The cost to replace the two east wellfields would be approximately $300,000. Mr. Mazzella explained that if the City has not received a decision (regarding the modified Water Use Permit) from the SFVVMD by April or May, the Utilities Department would take a more urgent stance with them to get that permit issued. Assistant City Manager Sugerman stated that the more urgent stance would be to request an administrative hearing. They are in weekly contact with the SFWMD and they continue to submit updated material to them and feel that they should make a decision by the end of March. Mr. Mazzella explained that they hope to meet with the SFWMD next week. City Manager Bressner requested that the meeting with the SFWMD staff be held before the Commission meeting on March :L8th. Mr. Mazzella further explained that in the summer of 2003 they would request that a Task Order be issued for revising the East Plant site plan, including conceptual layout for the Low Pressure Reverse Osmosis (using Floridan wells). :It was noted that the SFWMD would be pushing the City toward Floridan wells. Mr. Mazzella noted that most of the expansion of the West Plant would be replacement capacity, not for additional growth. He also noted that when the projections were done for the SFWMD permit, it appeared that 5 or 6 additional MGD would carry us through build-out; however, that can no longer be said. Commissioner Weiland asked whether we could begin the Floridan wells so that, assuming phases 1, 2, and 3 brought us up to our projected needs for 2010, these Floridan wells could be on line in 2010. Mr. Mazzella replied that we could construct these wells by 2008. Assistant City Manager Sugerman noted that the District will only give us a permit for 5 to 7 years so that the permit for 2003 would only be good until 2008. Therefore, two years from now we will start planning for the next renewal. Every two years, we would look at where we are going and what modifications need to be made. Mr. Kenyon noted that we also have an Aquifer Storage and Recovery that banks the water during periods of heavy rainfall so it will be there during the dry season. Regarding wastewater issues, Mr. Mazzella said that one of our consultants, CH2MHilI, was authorized on August 13, 2002 to conduct a capacity and conveyance analysis of the Lilt Station 356 system serving the entire downtown. This was done so that we will be ready for the expanded demand and densities in the downtown area. A Task Order for the development of a Reuse Piping Master Plan, including the Lake Worth Drainage District rights-of-way, will be brought to the City Commission on April 1~t, 4 Meeting Minutes City Commission Workshop Bovnton Beach, Florida February 25, 2003~ City Manager Bressner explained that there is no action being requested today. This workshop was to give the Commission information and an overview of what is projected, if the Commission has any questions, they were advised to contact City Manager Bressner or Assistant City Manager Sugerman. Commissioner McKoy asked what the back-up plan is if this country goes to war. City Manager Bressner said that issue would be discussed at an upcoming executive session. Mr. Fleming commented that the Utilities Department has recently refocused a lot of their efforts to work on the Floridan Aquifer and the District will look a lot more favorably on us if we have the Floridan wells in our plan. As an aside, Commissioner Weiland complimented Mr. Fleming for the good stormwater job on East and West Industrial Avenue. Assistant City Manager Sugerman said that they came in under budget also. Mayor Broening expressed his gratitude for the job that the Utilities staff is doing. There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:05 p.m. ATTEST: Deputy City Clerk Commissioner 5 1/30/2003 "EXHIBIT A" - City Commission __ Workshop- 2/25/03 POTABLE WATER CAPACITY EXPANSION OPTIONS Introduction South Florida and the City of Boynton Beach have just experienced a decade of unprecedented growth. The growth, however, has not ended, and we can expect several years of continued development of previously undeveloped land, plus the advent of significant redevelopment of some older sections within the City. Providing adequate potable water capacity to meet the increased demands imposed by such development will require a major effort by the Utilities Department over the next five years. The usual issues associated with water treatment plant expansions have, in the past, included: 1. Locating an adequate supply of raw water 2. Siting the treatment plant 3. Design of the facility 4. Permitting 5. Construction 6. Start-up The City's Utilities Master Plan of 1989 addressed the issues of well siting, treatment plant siting, and treatment plant capacity needs for a 20-year time period that would approach the build-om condition for the entire service area. To briefly summarize its findings, the new West Water Treatment Plant would have to be constructed in phases to achieve an ultimate capacity of 12-16 MGD. This expansion, coupled with continued usage of the existing East Water Treatment Plant at 20 MGD, would give the City a firm capacity of between 32-36 MGD. Certain events during the 1990's, however, significantly complicated the ability to fully implement this plan, the foremost event being the court-mandated redirection of freshwater flows to the Everglades. A 1-in-200 year drought during 2000-2001 also had a significant effect on water use planning throughout much of the state. The purpose of this report is to review the ~npacts of those events, and provide revised alternatives for meeting the potable water demands faced by the City of Boynton Beach. Demand Proiections Census information from the 2000 U.S. Census has been used as a baseline to assist in estimating the Utilities service area's future demands between the present and ultimate build-om. By adding the demand from those parcels approved for development since 2000, estimating the density of those still unapproved and vacant, and including those anticipated for eventual redevelopment (with intensified demand) a stun total of the demand at ultimate build-out can be estimated. Appendix A includes documentation 1/30/2003 2:16 PM indicating the ultimate potential build-out demand, plus schedules for anticipated growth and demand for each year through 2010, and includes a projection for ultimate build-out. TABLEI PROJECTED WATER USE Number of Avg. Max. Proposed Units Total Annual Day Day YEA~ Population ,Residential Per Capita Usair (Mt/ \,v,~/ ~,v,~! 2001 88,992 50,725 177 5,749 15.75 20.48 2002 92,594 52,779 177 5,982 16.39 21.31 2003 96,197 54,832 177 6,215 17.03 22.13 2004 99,799 56,886 177 6,448 17.66 22.96 2005 103,402 58,939 177 6,680 18.30 23.79 2006 107,005 60,993 177 6,913 18.94 24.62 2007 110,607 63,046 177 7,146 19.58 25.45 2008 114,210 65,100 177 7,379 20.22 26.28 2009 117,812 67,153 177 7,611 20.85 27.11 2010 121,415 69,207 177 7,844 21.77 28.30 Whereas the projected ultimate build-out is based upon existing land uses and zoning, there is a possibility for change if land use and prescribed densities are allowed to change. Given those variables, the upper limit of ultimate build-out demand should still be fairly close to the projections shown. The total system's ultimate demand would therefore be approximately 21.77 MGD (14.83 present plus 6.94 future) of raw water flow on an average day. A 10% variation in this figure can be expected based upon type of treatment selected. Continued conservation efforts would only reduce that ultimate . demand. The above numbers reflect actual demand for raw water, and do not account for additional installed capacity that may be desirable for the purpose of creating redundancy in the membrane trains, and/or a third stage membrane for increasing the throughput recovery percentage. Both of these activities should proceed regardless of which alternative is selected, based upon cost-effectiveness and the other issues. Timing of development and growth is subject to several factors beyond our control. Market demands for housing and commercial space, interest rates, and the overall strength of the economy will have a significant impact on the rate at which vacant land is developed, or existing areas re-developed. The schedule in Table I anticipates an aggressive rate of development. 1/30/2003 2:16 PM Permitting Requirements Every water utility in South Florida has to obtain permits from at least two major agencies when increasing capacity. One of those agencies is the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, which, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Health Dept., oversees the health-related aspects of potable water treatment. The second major agency is the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), which regulates the amount of raw water that may be extracted from underground aquifers or surface waters. At this point in time, the SFWMD is under extreme pressure to provide water to meet all of the urban, agricultural, and environmental demands of South Florida, while at the same time providing adequate flood protection for life and property. The District's Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) outlines the various demands from all sources, and the proposed allocation that each of those sources will be allowed over the next 20 years. Currently, the SFWMD cannot meet all of the projected demands, and herein lies a major problem for every utility in South Florida. The projected water demands to restore the Everglades will require billions of dollars of new canals, marshes, wells, etc. in order to store and re-route the necessary fresh water over the next twenty to thirty years. Until those facilities are fully constructed, a shortfall in the area's water balance will exist that is causing the SFWMD to actually reduce previously approved water use allocations to water utilities, in order to reserve the anticipated volumes required for Everglades restoration. A clear example of how this impacts our City may be gleaned by reviewing the approved allocations for water withdrawal to the City of Boynton Beach in 1988, and then again in 1998: 1988 allowed average daily withdrawal --- 21.05 MGD 1998 allowed average daily withdrawal = 14.86 MGD Net reduction = 6.19 MGD This net reduction has, for all intents and purposes, effectively reduced the capacity at the East Water Treatment Plant. In the Water Use Permit issued in 1998, the East Plant has been restricted to an average daily withdrawal of 8 MGD. The Plant is actually rated to treat 24 MGD, but is limited by wellfield production, and also by the permitting constraints. So, in effect, future reductions in the Water Use Permit will force the City into constructing plant capacity to replace the East Water Plant, not simply expand the system. Herein lies a major cost factor that should be realized when reviewing this plan. The East Plant is also ideally suited to be the "peaking" facility that our system requires. Membrane systems operate best when they are operated continuously. The treatment is better, and the membranes last longer, a fact that is clearly evidenced by the original membrane sets at the West Plant lasting over 9 years. Membranes do not function as well when they are only used during peak demand per/ods. A lime softening facility is, however, ideally suited to be a peaking plant, for it can accommodate wide variations in flow simply by altering the chemical feed rates. To totally eliminate the lime softening plant, in order to replace it with additional membranes (nanofiltration or RO), would in 1/30/2003 2:16 PM fact be detrimental to the smooth operation of the system, and shorten the life cycle of the membranes, while adding significant capital costs for the replacement capacity. Delays in the CERP implementation, and the recent 1-in-200 year drought have served to increase the District's tendency to maintain or reduce (rather than increase) existing allocations. Such actions on the part of the District force utilities to seek alternative water supplies in order to meet the demands of growing populations. Alternative Supplies Most of the raw water used for potable water supply in South Florida is obtained from an underground, shallow aquifer. A few cities, such as West Palm Beach, obtain their water directly from lakes (surface waters) but even these lakes interact with the surficial aquifer system. Recharge for the surficial aquifer system occurs naturally via rainfall, and artificially via water routed to canals from reservoirs, the principle reservoir being Lake Okeechobee. Together, the aquifer, lakes and canals may be considered the primary water supply source for South Florida. In view of the required environmental demands for fresh water being imposed through the CERP, the SFWMD is strongly encouraging water users to find, develop and depend upon alternative sources of water. Some of the more common alternative supplies are: 1. Wastewater Reuse - consisting of highly treated wastewater that may be used for irrigation in areas where public contact is expected. These areas may include golf courses, roadway medians, or landscaped areas in residential and commercial communities. Wastewater may not be used as a direct source for potable water supplies at this time. 2. Aquifer Storage and Recovery - involves the storage of excess freshwater, collected during wet weather, into a brackish, deep, underground aquifer where it may be held until required for use during dry weather. In our area, this deep aquifer (the Floridan Aquifer) begins approximately 800 feet below ground level. 3. Brackish or saline water sources - which can be treated to meet drinking water standards by using reverse osmosis technology. The major source for brackish water in our area is the Floridan Aquifer. Seawater can also be used as a source, but is even more expensive to treat. The City of Boynton Beach has been a proactive supporter of Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), and has the longest-running ASR well currently in service on the lower east coast of Florida. This well has been in service since 1992 and it has successfully stored up to 200 million gallons of treated drinking water in one cycle. It's top recovery efficiency has reached 91%, meaning that 91% of the water that was previously injected was successfully recovered and sent into the water distribution system for our customers to use. The City has recently been awarded a $300,000 grant from SFWMD to construct a second ASR well at the East Water Treatment Plant site. Permitting of the well is in progress. The City of Boynton Beach, in conjunction with the City of Delray Beach has also actively supported and implemented a wastewater reuse system capable of delivering up 1/30/2003 2:16 PM to 8 million gallons per day of highly treated wastewater to five area golf course communities, thereby alleviating an equivalent irrigation water demand upon the surficial aquifer system. At this time both cities are funding a study to expand the wastewater reuse system. In summary, the City of Boynton Beach has been a leader in utilizing two of the three major options for alternative water supplies. To date, the City's share of the installed reuse system, plus it's cost for the current ASR well total 4.1 million dollars. The proposed ASR well is anticipated to cost the City an additional $1 million after reimbursement of the SFWMD grant. Potable Water Capacity Expansion Alternatives Analvsi:; The City, through its consultant Camp Dresser and McKee, has conducted analyses of alternative expansion possibilities for the East and West Water Treatment Plant. Those documents are summarized in a letter report dated June 27, 2002, attached as Appendix B for more in-depth review. Table 1 below summarizes their findings. Facilities to be constructed Total Project Cost* West WTP alternatives: 1. Add 3.5 MGD ofnanofiltration capacity, use $28,000,000 existing surficial wells, 1.4 MGD of surficial aquifer blending plus 8.5 MGD of LPRO capacity, 4 new Floridan Aquifer supply wells, and required piping. Use existing deep injection well for brine disposal. (Net increase of 13.4 MGD of finished water) Add 2.1 MGD of nanofiltration capacity, use existing wells, 1.4 MGD ofsurficial aquifer blending, plus 9.9 MGD of LPRO capacity, 4 Floridan Aquifer supply well, and required piping. Use existing deep injection well for brine disposal. (Net increase of 13.4 MGD of finished water) $28,500,000 Add 8 MGD ofnanofiltration capacity, 1.18 MGD of Surficial aquifer blending, use existing wells and add 2 additional wells and required piping. Use existing deep injection well for brine disposal. (Net increase of 9.18 MGD of finished water). $19,500,000 East WTP alternatives: 4. Construct 8 MGD of LPRO treatment facilities, 0.8 MGD of raw water blending, including 6 Floridan Aquifer supply wells and required piping, plus a deep injection well for $24,300,000 5 1/30/2003 2:16 PM brine disposal (Net increase of 8.8 MGD finished water) *Not including land costs associated with additional wells As shown in Table 1, we expect the increase in raw water demand exerted by growth over the next 5 years will be to 19.58, an increase of 4.72 MGD from the current permitted value. Converting this to finished water demand, our capacity needs for year 2007 are anticipated to be 4.1 MGD on an average day, and approximately 5.3 MGD on a peak day. All of the alternatives shown above greatly exceed this value. Also note that alternatives 1, 2, and 3 include the large-scale implementation of low- pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) technology, utilizing water from the Floridan Aquifer as the raw water supply. Supply wells for the Floridan Aquifer are more expensive to construct than surficial aquifer wells. The LPRO process is also more expensive to operate than typical nanofiltration processes due to higher pressure-driven energy requirements. The costs shown above are for capital only, and do not reflect life-cycle operating costs. It is prudent at this point in our analysis to ask two important questions, namely: 1. How far in advance of expected demand should the Utility construct additional capacity?; and, 2. What additional water withdrawal allocation from the surficial aquifer can we reasonably expect to receive from the South Florida Water Management District? In answer to question 1, given the continued rapid rate of development in our area, the growth forecast contained in Table 1 assumed a growth rate of approximately 3.7 percent per year, and may therefore be considered an aggressive or "worst case" growth forecast. In developing the plant capacity required over the next five years certain features such as building size, piping and electrical raceways, and additional storage tank capacity can be incorporated into this next phase of construction so as to readily accommodate future expansion while taking full advantage of economies of scale. Piping, wells, membranes, electrical and control equipment can then be added at a later date at reasonable cost, and with shortened lead times for construction. The answer to question 2 above is truly the critical unknown at this time, yet how and when that question is answered will have a significant impact on our future decision- making and capital expenses. If the District grants us the requested 4.72 MGD additional water use allocation of the surficial aquifer from the West wellfield, without decreasing allowable withdrawals at the East wellfield, then alternative no. 3, (employing fewer membranes and wells due to the reduced capacity), is the clear choice based upon capital expense. We estimate such an expansion to cost approximately $14 million. (See Appendix C) However, if the District does not allow the full amount of the requested additional allocation to be taken from the surficial aquifer, then the City must look for alternative sources of supply to meet its future growth demands. The Floridan Aquifer is widely 6 1/30/2003 2:16 PM regarded to be the most likely alternative source of supply in this geographic area. Yet competition for water from the Floridan Aquifer is expected to increase significantly over the next 20 years, with increasing demand expected from water users in both Central and South Florida. Despite relatively limited permitting restrictions for using the Floridan Aquifer at this time, the supply of this Aquifer is not unlimited. As Central Florida is the primary recharge zone for freshwater entering the Floridan Aquifer, we can expect that future demands in that region will receive preference for water withdrawals, resulting in reduced freshwater contributions and increasing salinity of the Aquifer in South Florida. We can also expect that Floridan Aquifer withdrawals will be subject to increasing scrutiny and limitations as competition for the resource increases. In comparing the forecasted demands (which are conservative), to the resource planning and development plans included in the CERP (which are continually being revised) it seems prudent to limit our current planning, design, and construction activities to meet the 5-year planning horizon. If past performance is any indication, the permitting and construction of additional capacity carries no guarantees that said capacity, once in place, can never be rescinded. For example, in the initial phase of the West Treatment Plant development the City constructed four water supply wells and thousands of feet of pipeline that was permitted by several state and regional agencies. Since that time, the City's water use allocation has been reduced to the extent that the ability to use those wells is now questionable. The current situation regarding water use is even more unstable now than it was in 1998, when the City experienced this reduced allocation. Over-building of treatment plant capacity is therefore not advisable under the current regulatory conditions. To over-build at this time may result in constructing capacity that will never be used. The SFWMD also recognizes other forms of alternative water supplies. Two of these are currently employed by the City, namely Wastewater Reuse and ASR. As mentioned earlier, the City is moving ahead with the planned installation of a second ASR well at the East Water Treatment Plant site. ASR could possibly be used to offset the need for additional capacity, but only if the City is allowed to pump and treat additional surficial aquifer flows during wet weather, for storage and later use during dry weather. The City currently has a significant amount of unused treatment plant capacity at the East Water Treatment Plant which, combined with reduced wet-season demands across the system, could furnish sufficient water to fully charge both ASR wells during wet-season periods of reduced demand across the system. The City of Boynton Beach, in conjunction with the City of Delray Beach and the South Central Regional Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Board, is actively studying expansion of the current reuse system. One possible outcome of that study would be the decision to furnish reuse water to the barrier island communities for irrigation, thereby recouping the irrigation demand now exerted upon the potable water systems of both cities from those same barrier island communities. Due to their location between the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway and the resulting high salt content of the groundwater, the barrier islands cannot use groundwater for irrigation, and must rely almost solely upon potable water supplies. For the City of Boynton Beach, this dry season irrigation 1/30/2003 2:I6PM demand from the barrier island represents a significant portion of the overall dry season potable water demand. Summary and Recommendations The City of Boynton Beach, like all other large water users in Florida, will experience increased scrutiny and regulatory pressures over the next twenty years to reduce its overall water demands on historical water supplies. Part of this pressure is the result of the settlement between the State of Florida and the U.S. government mandating that sufficient water supplies be reserved and dedicated to maintaining the Everglades as a viable ecosystem in perpetuity. By virtue of that settlement, the Everglades is now due a larger "slice" of the water balance "pie". The exact size and delivery time for that "slice" is a matter that is still under scientific study and debate, a debate that will likely continue over the next two decades. We can, however, be certain that the portion of the overall water supply diverted to the Everglades will increase significantly from this time forward. The other principle factor exerting pressure upon the water management system is, of course, Florida's rapid population growth. Increasing populations not only have an inherent demand for additional water, but the paving and building of what was once vacant land tends to increase runoff, diminish water retention, and exert a negative impact upon water quality. These development-related activities require that a greater effort be made to actively promote aquifer recharge, construct storage impoundments above- or underground, and treat water before it is discharged into natural systems. The City of Boynton Beach must choose a path that insulates it to some extent from the socio-political forces that are now taking a pre-eminent position in controlling growth through water use permitting, while expanding and operating its potable water system in a cost-effective manner, so as to produce an affordable product. Opting for what is currently the less-regulated water source may provide some degree of insulation over the next 5-10 years (at a significant cost). That option, however, could require further significant upgrading or replacement at additional cost as competition for Floridan Aquifer water increases. It may be more prudent, and less expensive, for the City to choose a path that gives it the most long-term control over as much of its water needs as possible, even if that path is not as obvious as some others. The recommended path may be outlined as follows: 1. Act to fully utilize the existing wells in the West Wellfield by installing pumping equipment and sufficient nanofiltration membranes to treat their full capacity. Include features in the treatment plant expansion that will allow flexibility for implementation of future LPRO membranes if required. Replace the membranes for trains 1-3 with higher capacity membranes, (creating an additional 1.9 MGD of treatment capacity) thereby creating some redundancy at the West Plant to allow for maintenance and repairs. 2. Continue development of the second ASR well, which will also serve to insulate the City's customers against drought conditions by creating a finn dry-weather storage of hundreds of millions of gallons of fresl~ water. 8 1/30/2003 2:16 PM 3. Maximize groundwater recharge along the coastal ridge so as to protect the existing East Wellfield over the long-tenn. Renovate or relocate problem wells as needed, so as to maintain a sustained yield. 4. Lobby for greater flexibility in permitting seasonal water allocations, thereby providing incentives or ater-oalance credits" for storing wet weather flows that would otherwise be lost to tide. 5. Strongly consider installing and mandating the use ofwastewater reuse along the barrier island, thereby reducing dry weather potable water demands by as much as 20%. Under current SFWMD practices, reclaimed water is exempt from emergency drought restrictions. Similarly, water recovered from ASR wells is not reported as a surficial aquifer withdrawal, and is also protected from drought conditions by its storage.in a deep, confined aquifer system. By expanding both of these alternative sources, the City can effectively insulate itself to a greater degree from the impacts of drought or future reallocations of water resources, and do so at a reasonable cost. In summary, recent regulatory changes imposed by the SFWMD have significantly altered the historical planning practices. In their effort to provide for the as yet unquantified demands of the Everglades restoration, the SFWMD is actively trying to recoup prior allocations that were granted to area utilities from the surficial aquifer. Restrictions on the use of surficial aquifer water have forced the City of Boynton Beach and all other utilities to actively seek and develop alternative water sources, but not just to meet the demands of growth. Those same restrictions are actually being used to promote the construction of replacement water treatment facilities, as well as expanded facilities. Capacity that was permitted, built and used in the past is now being deemed no longer viable, generating a potential financial impact in the millions, or tens of millions of dollars funded by ratepayers and citizens. As government officials entrusted with managing both public funds and natural resources, we must strive for a higher level of stewardship than what is currently proposed. There is a higher standard that can be set in this area of water resource management, and we can be a positive force in achieving that standard. For the sake of exercising prudent fiscal stewardship over the ratepayer funds dedicated to the utility, it is suggested that this utility implement those expansions that are absolutely necessary over the next 5-year planning period, for it is highly likely that the SFWMD policies will change once again over that time frame, and we will be presented with newer, potentially less expensive alternatives. In the event the studies regarding Everglades restoration do reveal a need to shift water from the surficial aquifer to the Everglades, that shifting should be borne by all users, and not fall primarily upon the utilities, and subsequently, their ratepayers.