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

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Polk County Comprehensive Water Supply Plan Joint Study
Peace River Basin Approval of Agreement 2/8/08 2/8/08
Notice to Proceed 2/8/08 2/8/08
50% Completion 3/16/09 1/26/09
Project Completion Date 12/31/09
Contract Termination Date 7/31/10
Task Description
Task 2 - Identify and Quantify Water Supply Alternatives 10/15/08 12/15/08 12/15/08
Task 3 - Current Water Supply and Deficit Analysis 12/15/08 12/15/08
Task 4 - Treatment Transmission and Storage Analysis 3/16/09 3/20/09
Task 5 - Implementation Plan 5/11/09 7/28/09 7/31/09
Task 6 - Allowance for Other Detailed Investigations 11/9/09
Task 1 - Project Progress and Coordination 11/9/09
Status As Of: September 03, 2009
Based on the recent results from the Kissimmee River Water Supply Feasibility Study and limitation of future water
sources from outside its boundaries, Polk County (County) requested the District participate in a more detailed analysis
of available ground water and alternative water supplies within Polk County. To fulfill the request of the County, a funding
agreement was created effective from February 8, 2008 to July 31, 2010, between the District, Polk County, and
SFWMD. This agreement was approved by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners on April 23, 2008 and was
signed by all parties. The total estimated cost to complete the PCCWSP is $955,318 via a consulting services contract
between the County and Reiss Environmental. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has agreed to
provide 10 percent of the total project cost, reducing the District's share to 40 percent, or $382,127. On April 25, 2008
District staff attended a meeting with Tampa Bay Water and Polk County to discuss potential opportunities for water
supply to Polk County from Tampa Bay Water. The County and TBW completed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) to aid in the implementation of future collaborative efforts. TBW's Board approved the MOU on October 20, 2008,
while the Polk County BOCC approved the MOU at its meeting on November 5, 2008. Additionally, the County is involved
in several other initiatives to investigate water supply options. One option the County is evaluating is the potential for
additional ground water in southeast Polk County. The County and SFWMD are coordinating to investigate this potential
source as any withdrawals would be located within the SFWMD. The County is also coordinating with the STOPR group,
which includes St. Cloud, Tohopekaliga Water Authority, Orange County, Osceola County, Polk County, and the Reedy
Creek Improvement District. STOPR and SFWMD are currently investigating the potential for water supply from the
Kissimmee River, which should be completed by the end of 2011. On February 21, 2008, Polk County hosted the project
kick-off meeting with attendance by SWFWMD, SFWMD, Polk County and Polk County Utilities. Reiss Environmental,
Polk County's subconsultant, and Polk County participated in three information sessions with the District to discuss
issues such as conservation, the Upper Peace River and Minimum Flows and Levels. In addition, SFWMD and Polk
County continue to move forward on investigating the Lower Floridan Aquifer in southeast Polk County as a potential
source. The notice to proceed with well construction was September 3, 2008. Throughout the projec, District, County,
and SFWMD staff met to discuss the list of projects, review the progress of the plan and prepare for any upcoming Polk
County BoCC or District Board meetings. At the October 30, 2008 Polk County BOCC workshop, Polk County staff and
their consultant presented the ranked project lists to the Polk County Commissioners. At that time County Manager, Mike
Herr, informed the board that the County was seeking concurrence on the short and long projects lists by the 17 cities
and municipalities. To support this concurrence effort, District staff attended the Lakeland, Winter Haven, Polk City,
Dundee and Frostproof City Council meetings at which the short and long project lists were approved unanimously.
Auburndale, Davenport and Mulberry City Commissions also were in concurrence with the lists. At the December 17,
2008 BoCC meeting, the Commission concurred with the short and long project list of water supply project options and
voted to continue investigations of short list projects. The District reviewed and commented on all Technical
Memorandums which included finalized reports on the Alafia and Peace River and the Conservation Analysis. By
mid-May District staff completed visiting municipalities throughout Polk County to discuss conservation efforts and clarify
demand projections. Additionally, District staff attended the April City Manager's meeting at which Polk County and their
municipalities decided to delay the project until July to allow time to present the information to their city councils.
Currently, District staff is monitoring the coring progress of the Southeast Wellfield, a potential source on the short list.
ACTION-TO-DATE: On-time.
This project is complete however District staff is waiting on final invoices to close out the project. The Final Report was
submitted in July 2009. Presentations covering the results of the report were made at a a Polk County BOCC workshop
on July 20, 2009, the District's Governing Board meeting on July 28, 2009 and the Polk County BOCC meeting on
August 5, 2009. The SFWMD has a similar presentation scheduled for their Governing Board on October 14, 2009.
Other ongoing District staff activities include monitoring the coring progress of the Southeast Wellfield, a potential source
on the short list. District staff is also preparing an outreach effort to coordinate wiht Polk County's cities and
municipalities regarding their water supply options.
At the request of the Office of Governor Charlie Crist, the District has been communicating regularly with the cooperator
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