MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

H062
CF Industries Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project
Project Type WS&R Dev.
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Water Quality
Basin(s) General Fund (District), Alafia River, Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
CF Industries
Project Manager KELLEY, MIKE
Task Manager(s)
Status Withdrawn
Description
CF Industries is developing an Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project (ARRP) on a portion of its South Pasture mine
in Hardee County. The project will store mine stormwater in an existing sand-clay mix area; naturally treat the water
through two reclaimed wetland cells constructed in an adjacent sand-clay mix area; filter the water through a sand
tailings filter basin; and then recharge an estimated 2 to 4 mgd of the naturally treated water into the Floridan aquifer.
The goal of the natural treatment system is to treat the water to primary and secondary drinking water standards so
that it can be recharged into the Upper Floridan aquifer to increase water levels and provide additional water to help
meet local and regional water demands. Project components include design and construction of the treatment
wetlands and sand filtration basin; construction of intake control structures to and from the mine, reservoir and
treatment systems; and, construction of an injection well and two monitor wells. The project will be conducted in two
phases: Phase 1 includes design, permitting, and construction of the wetlands treatment system and sand filtration
basin; and, Phase II includes construction and testing of the recharge well. CF Industries' original FY2009
Cooperative Funding request was modified to postpone construction and testing of the recharge well until at least
FY2010. Total District funding now being requested for FY2009 is $400,675 and will be used for construction of a
stormwater collection and discharge system. This will increase the District's previous total funding committment from
$2,250,000 to $2,605,729.
Benefits
This is an innovative alternative water supply project that could provide significant benefits to the Southern Water Use
Caution Area (SWUCA) by maintaining or increasing Upper Floridan aquifer levels. Utilizing excess surface waters
and safely injecting those waters into the aquifer is one of several strategies the District is pursuing as part of its
SWUCA Recovery Strategy. The information collected from this project will be used to demonstrate the full-scale
feasibility of this type of treatment technology and can be applied to future natural treatment and aquifer recharge
projects in the area. This project was identified in the District's most recent update of the Regional Water Supply Plan
as a water supply development option under the Heartland Water Alliance planning area.
Costs
The total cost of the project including reclamation funds from CF Industries is $7,042,314, with the District funding up
to 50 percent of eligible costs to a maximum of $2,605,729. District funding will be shared by the Governing Board (50
percent), Peace River Basin Board (25 percent), Alafia River Basin Board (12.5 percent), and Manasota Basin Board
(12.5 percent). CF Industries' original FY2009 Cooperative Funding Initiative request was for $1,148,445 to complete
the project. However, based on discussions with District staff, CF Industries has postponed construction and testing of
their recharge well until at least 2010, reducing their FY2009 funding request to $400,675. The FY2009 Governing and
Basin Boards shares are, Peace River Basin Board: $100,169; Manasota & Alafia River Basin Boards: $50,084 each;
Governing Board: $200,338. Due to delays CF Industries did not request FY2010 funding.
Additional Information
The project consists of constructing the major components required to operate the ARRP, which will include the
design and construction of the treatment wetlands and sand filtration basin, intake control structures to and from the
mine, reservoir and treatment systems, and the construction of an injection well and two monitor wells. In anticipation
of receiving formal approvals and variances from the required regulatory agencies, CF Industries commenced
construction of the project in March 2007. It is expected to take approximately two years to complete the installation of
the necessary infrastructure. Another two years will be required to thoroughly test the system. Project costs for the first
fiscal year, FY2007, are estimated at $1,751,620, with the District's approved share not-to-exceed $875,810 (Peace
River Basin Board: $218,953; Manasota & Alafia River Basin Boards: $109,476 each; Governing Board: $437,905).
These funds were transferred from the Water Supply and Resource Development Reserves to each of the
participating boards. Project approved funds for FY2008 were $1,074,138, with the District's funded share
not-to-exceed $395,789(Peace River Basin Board: $97,927; Manasota & Alafia River Basin Boards: $49,474 each;
Governing Board: $198,914).
020 - Peace River Basin 208