From Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities

July/August 2002

Upgrade for the Pine Island Water Treatment Plant

Volusia County Utilities plans to begin construction of improvements to the Pine Island Water Treatment Plant in late summer. The plant serves approximately 90 customers within Pine Island development, located near Lake George in Northwest Volusia County. The existing plant consists of one well, a small storage tank, and one chlorination system. The proposed improvements include a second well, a larger water storage tank, two separate chlorination systems each with its own control system. Most Volusia County water treatment plants have back-up pumping and chlorination systems so that if the primary wells or chlorination systems fail, the back-up system is activated to help ensure uninterrupted water service. The cost to construct the Pine Island Water Treatment Plant improvements is estimated at $100,000.

"Standing on Solid Ground" - An Erosion Control Project

The stormwater utility recently completed an erosion control project on Tomoka Farms Rd., approximately 2 miles north of Pioneer Trail. The project uses a combination of innovative materials, from coconut fiber blankets to woven straw netting mats. These materials are placed on the slope and pinned with special wire staples. The mats then are covered with rolled Bermuda sod. The sod roots grow into the mat and provide a very stable surface, able to withstand the erosive forces of a heavy rainfall event. Also, in areas of steep channel flow, a series of rock dams were constructed to slow the flow of stormwater, thereby reducing the damage from erosion.

The project will provide environmental benefits by reducing the potential for sediment discharge to Spruce Creek. Also, maintenance costs, such as sediment removal and ditch bank repair, will be greatly reduced.

Plant of the Month - Lantana

The Lantana camara is a small thorny flowering shrub with square stems. The flowers are arranged in dense flat-topped heads measuring about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The flowers can be found in colors of purple, orange, yellow, red, and pink. The youngest flowers are usually pale shades of color, and the older flowers are usually darker colors such as red or orange. The Lantana remains covered with flowers from spring to fall. It can grow to a maximum of 6' high and may spread 8' across the ground. Lantanas can tolerate both humid and dry heat but cannot live below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Lantanas are capable of surviving mild fires because they regenerate from the basal shoots. The Lantana, a perennial grows back every year and requires low maintenance.

In the Bathroom:

1. Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath. Amount saved: 15 gallons per shower

2. Don't use toilets as a wastebasket, flush only when you need to. Amount saved: 12 or more gallons per day

3. When brushing teeth, use a glassful of water instead of running the tap. Amount saved: 3 or more gallons per brushing.

In the Kitchen:

1. When washing dishes by hand, fill up the sink with soap and water instead of running the water the whole time. Amount saved: 25 gallons per load

2. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator when you want a drink instead of running the tap until the water cools. Amount saved: 2 gallons per drink

3. Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, not under running tap water. Amount saved: 5 or more gallons per meal

Conservation word search

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Do you have a fish tank?

Next time you clean your fish tank to give your pets a healthy environment, do your mom’s plants a favor. The "dirty" fish water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous. Watering the houseplants with this water gives the houseplants some much-needed fertilizer.

Where's your master water supply valve?
Do you know where the master water supply valve is in your home? Does everyone else in the family know where it is? If there is an emergency, you’ll need to know in a hurry. You can’t afford to waste precious minutes searching while your floors and carpets are drenched. You have to act fast. These are the most likely locations: 

(1) where the water supply pipe enters your home. 
(2) near your clothes washer hook-up, or 
(3) near your water heater. 

Every home, apartment and business has a master water supply valve. Be sure you’ve found the right one. Try turning it off briefly and see if all the water faucets in the building are shut off. If they aren’t, try again. Once you’ve found the right valve, mark it with a tag, a bright ribbon or colorful paint. If the worst happens, you or someone else will be able to find the master water supply valve right away, saving precious water and dollars in repairs

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Volusia County, Florida.