Tampa Bay Region - Southwest Florida Water Management District

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
FY2014 COOPERATIVE FUNDING INITIATIVE APPLICATION FORM
Project Name
Pasco County - Crews Lake Natural Systems Restoration
Project Number N560
Cooperator
Pasco County
Department
Utilities
Contact Person Pamela Wright
Address
7536 State Street
City Sate Zip New Port Richey, FL 34654
Phone #
727-847-8145 ext7825
Email
pwright@pascocountyfl.net
Project Type:
X Water Supply X Water Quality Flood Protection X Natural Systems
Strategic Initiatives:
X Water Quality Maintenance and Improvement Water Quality Monitoring
X Alternative Water Supply Conservation
X Reclaimed Water Regional Water Supply Planning
Emergency Flood Response Floodplain Management
Minimum Flows and Level Establishment and Monitoring Minimum Flows and Levels Recovery
X Natural Systems Conservation and Restoration Natural Systems Identification and Monitoring
Indicate All Counties to Benefit From Project:
Charlotte Citrus Desoto Hardee Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Lake
Levy Manatee Marion X Pasco Pinellas Sarasota Sumter Polk
Project Description:
Pasco County Utilities wishes to continue the investigation of using the wet-weather flow of reclaimed water to improve water levels
in Crews Lake. Crews Lake has seen a historic drop in water levels over the past decade resulting from ground water overpumping.
Crews Lake is so impaired due to depressed water levels that it can no longer be considered a lake. In fact, Crews Lake
doesn’t fit the definition of a lake by either Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection or the Southwest Florida Water
Management District. Initial feasibility studies have brought to light several different permitting paths. Variations of this approach
have been employed before in natural and constructed wetland systems throughout Florida, leading to improved wildlife usage,
restored water levels, and natural treatment of effluent. This project would support the rehydration and other enhancements for a
portion of Crews Lake while enabling Pasco County to better manage its reclaimed water supply. There are a myriad of benefits to
Crews Lake Wilderness Park likely with fruition of the project including: rehydration of a portion of the dry lake, improved regulatory
compliance reclaimed wet-weather flows, improved ecological productivity of the area, improved wildlife habitat, educational
opportunities, enhanced recreational experience and incremental restoration of local groundwater tables.
The total project cost is estimated to be $6,535,000. The County is anticipating expending $535,000 during FY 2014; 50 percent
($267,500) of which is being requested from the District. The County will request additional funding assistance in future years.
Describe your organizations efforts in developing, implementing and enforcing water conservation and flood protection
ordinances.
Pasco County adopted Ordinance 01-08 requiring the following: one day/week irrigation restrictions for potable water; curtailed use
of potable water for irrigation when rain has occurred within 24 hours; scheduled availability and restricted use of reclaimed water
irrigation to distribute limited supply to as many customers as possible; washing of non-business, personal vehicles only using low
volume methods and over non-impervious surfaces; prohibiting aesthetic uses of water unless such use also provides a necessary
aeration or water quality benefit; and the use of reclaimed water for road construction activities when available. Enforcement of this
ordinance is by designated County personnel and law enforcement officers. During Water Year 2012, 100% of Pasco County
Utilities' wastewater was reused. The bulk rate charged for the use of reclaimed water is $0.47 per 1,000 gallons (normal rate),
$0.21 per 1,000 gallons (surplus rate), and a flat rate of $10.26 per month residential irrigation. Pasco County's potable water rates
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