Work continues on McIntosh Preserve Integrated Water Master Plan.
From lawn sprinklers to kitchen faucets, shower heads to washing machines, Floridians depend on a reliable, high-quality and safe water supply. Even though it’s a state saturated with the substance (according to Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Florida contains approximately 20 percent of all the wetlands in the United States), ensuring a potable water supply for its growing population is a top priority for government officials.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), until 1980, surface water was the largest source of fresh water in Florida. After 1980, ground water became the largest source of fresh water in Florida. In the future, ground water withdrawals are expected to level off as this source reaches its sustainable limit. Demand is expected to continue to grow over the next 20 years as Florida’s population increases. Alternative water supplies are needed.
The City of Plant City’s main water source is groundwater pumped from the Floridan Aquifer located beneath the city. Water is withdrawn through four deep wells with depths from 746 to 1,203 feet located within city limits and sent to one of four treatment plants for chemical disinfection addition prior to entering the City’s distribution system. A fifth water treatment plant is currently in the construction phase. In 2022, an average of 6.75 million gallons of water was produced for Plant City customers each day. In addition, a water reclamation facility treats up to 10 million gallons per day of discharged water from homes, business and industries to advanced standards that allow public access irrigation utilizing the treated reclaimed water and also augmentation of Itchepackesassa Creek through a surface water discharge permit.
Plant City is committed to producing, safe, healthy and aesthetically pleasing drinking water for current and future generations. Starting in 2020, the City Commission approved a State legislative appropriation of $6.35 million to fund the McIntosh Preserve Integrated Water Master Plan suite of integrated projects, which includes the initial phase of the Potable Reuse (PR) project and the Wetland Expansion project.
The initial phase of the PR project located at the One Water Demonstration Facility at 1500 West Victoria Street is nearing its conclusion. The 12-month pilot sampling program is evaluating the feasibility of developing a new potable water supply by treating reclaimed water using multiple advanced treatment processes, including a membrane filtration system, a reverse osmosis system and an ultraviolet advanced oxidation process system. The quality of the water is evaluated coming into and leaving the treatment system. Results are promising.
“Altogether, over 5,000 treated water samples have been analyzed and every single sample has been in compliance with existing regulations, health guidelines and aesthetic limits for drinking water,” said Hazen and Sawyer Engineer Carlyn Higgins, Ph.D., P.E. “These water quality data are being used to verify treatment selection, operational protocols, and monitoring needs for reliable production of a high quality water supply for the City for many years to come.”
The project’s final report is expected to be finalized in September.
The second part of the project, the McIntosh Preserve Wetland Expansion project, is an expansion and restoration of a stormwater wetland treatment system (SWWTS) in the eastern portion of the 363-acre McIntosh Preserve, located at 775 East Knights Griffin Road, that receives and holds stormwater from the City’s stormwater canal system. The expanded wetland system will utilize the City’s highly-treated reclaimed water to hydrate the wetland plants and take advantage of naturally occurring recharge through sand soil to the Floridan aquifer. The project is expected to mitigate localized flooding and improve stormwater quality via expanded wetland treatment systems. To reduce the costs of transporting excavated dirt off-site, a 45-foot high ADA-compliant hill will be built to provide the public access to view the wetlands and will also include walking trails and an observation platform. A boardwalk will provide access through wetlands for monitoring and viewing purposes. The project is in the final design phase.
According to US Water Alliance, no matter where we live, or what we do, water connects everyone. In all its forms, water has value- water in our lakes, seas, rivers, streams, drinking water, wastewater and stormwater and can be optimized to build strong economies, vibrant communities and healthy environments.
“The City is committed to ensuring water security and quality for our residents,” said City Manager Bill McDaniel. “The City’s efforts today are intended to secure the community’s future water needs and to ensure the best possible environmental resource management for generations to come.”
“It’s our water, it’s our future,” said Utilities Operations Chief Operator Patrick Murphy.
For more information about the water supply visit www.plantcitygov.com.
