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Water Policy Review
Commission
MINUTES
Unofficial meeting
Sept. 13, 2001
Training Rooms (first floor)
Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center
123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand
MEMBERS
Bill Scovell (present)
Fritz Behring (present)
Randy Brewer (absent)
Richard Fernandez (absent)
Ken Hoblick (present)
Elizabeth Layton (absent)
Tom McClelland (absent)
Beth McGee (present)
Steven Provost (absent)CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bill Scovell at 6:05 p.m. with the above attendance noted. Also in attendance were Cindy Finney, County Manager’s staff, Dan Eckert, County Attorney and Gloria Marwick, County Water and Utilities Director. Lacking a quorum, the meeting was not official, but Mr. Scovell asked that it continue unofficially because of the special speaker, John Wehle from the St. Johns River Water Management District.GUEST SPEAKER: ST JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOHN WEHLE
Mr. Wehle introduced himself to the group and gave a brief description of his background. The SJRWMD encourages a regional approach to water supply for most of the area under its jurisdiction. Volusia County has done an excellent job of this, he said. The Volusian Water Alliance now has a draft plan finished; once it is adopted, the group will proceed with an institutional study to bring about recommendations on what institutional arrangements could best handle Volusia’s water supply situation.The SJRWMD has embarked on many cooperative ventures, including two pilot projects. One is the rehydration of land and wellfields. The state Department of Environmental Protection has not viewed this favorably, but the SJRWMD is in the process of educating the DEP about how rehydration can be better for the environment and provide water supplies for the future. The DEP is concerned rehydration will lock the state into artificially maintaining wetlands. The SJRWMD believes rehydration will work because as the state continues to grow, the effort to rehydrate an area around a water supply is small compared to the much greater impact caused by development.
The SJRWMD also is looking at RAMP – the Regional Aquifer Management Plan. Seven of the area’s utilities have interconnected via pipeline so they can share water resources in times of need. This increases the efficiency of these systems and allows more water to be taken with less environmental impact. The SJRWMD also is looking at the natural springs in the state. Blue Spring is the first to be examined. Mr. Wehle said the existing use of Blue Spring is not a problem. In the future, RAMP and rehydration could be used to derive water.
Other issues are desalination. The SJRWMD is looking at the best places on the coast to provide this. It is essential to locate near existing or future power plants because heated water makes desalination easier, he said.
Along with the potential use of the St. Johns River, the County has a variety of water resource solutions and opportunities to pursue. However, the cost may be higher in the future. Mr. Wehle added.
Mr. Wehle said the SJRWMD has not gotten RAMP under way. Because it is a regional water supply solution, RAMP would be good candidate for Florida Forever funds, but state statute limits the use of these funds. The SJRWMD is discussing with the DEP the possibility of using these funds. The District may need to go back to the state Legislature to address changing the statute to accommodate this use.
Mr. Scovell asked if the District has determined how water will be supplied for the 90,000 plus undeveloped parcels in Volusia and Flagler counties when they become developed.
Mr. Wehle said the District has not looked at that issue. To do so would require a look at all undeveloped parcels in the state. The District would need to make the assumption that all these parcels would be developed and determine right now what would needs to be done.
Mr. Scovell asked about the cost of alternative water sources. Mr. Wehle said the cost of developing raw water is 50 cents to $1.50 per 1,000 gallons, depending on the water system. He estimated that the cost of increasing efficiencies would be 50 cents more. To develop surface water systems, it could be $2 more for a total of about $3.50 per 1,000 gallons for a new system. The impact on the consumers throughout the state varies depending on whether the system is contributing profits to, for example, the general funds. For example, in St. Johns County, it costs $1.70 per 1,000 gallons to get the water to residents, but consumers pay $9 per 1,000 gallons because the profits are being used. $3.50 per 1,000 gallons still is cheap, but it is not what Volusia residents are accustomed to paying. A discussion ensued on water rates.
Member Fritz Behring said it appears the District is on track to build a surface water plant on the St. Johns River. Is the district attempting to force construction of the plant by reducing the CUPs for the westside by allowing the eastside to draw more water from the ground?
Mr. Wehle said there is a fear that the District will force the issue by artificially cutting back on wellfieds, but that is not true. The District’s job is to come up with alternatives and the surface water plant is an alternative. The coastal communities might want to assist West Volusia by investing in a surface water system so that West Volusia does not use the groundwater, freeing it up for east Volusia.
Mr. Behring asked what the District thinks is the best alternative water source. Mr. Wehle replied the District is not predisposed to any one alternative but believes the best now is RAMP. The second would be other available groundwater.
Mr. Scovell asked about the potential of water becoming a commodity similar to the way it is in the western United States with water rights bought and sold. Mr. Wehle responded that the proposal had come up before and had been dismissed; he did not believe it was currently viable.
Member Beth McGee noted the pressure Volusia County faces from adjacent counties for water supplies. Mr. Wehle said the majority of the state has good water supplies but it depends on the demands placed on them. Central Florida counties are looking at a variety of alternatives, including reuse, desalination and surface water partnerships. The District watches state growth patterns carefully, he said.
Ms. McGee asked about the relationship between the SJRWMD and the DEP. Mr. Wehle said state statute gives the DEP general supervisory authority over the water management districts. The DEP can adopt state water policy and the District’s actions must be consistent with this water policy. In addition, the DEP delegates some of its authority to the District. The Governor appoints the secretary of the DEP and the Governor appoints the nine-member District Governing Board. He noted if the Governor appoints you, chances are good you agree with the Governor’s policies.ADJOURN/SET NEXT MEETING DATE
There being no further business, the Commission adjourned. The next meeting of the Commission will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, in the Training Rooms, Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, DeLand.back to county council home page
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