Item 08 Potable WaterMonroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
POTABLE WATER
Table of Contents
Item
Page
8.0. POTABLE WATER ELEMENT................................................................................................................1
8.1
Introduction..................................................................................................................................1
8.2
Sources of Water.........................................................................................................................
2
8.3
Regulatory.....................................................................................................................................
5
8.3.1
Federal Regulations.....................................................................................................
5
8.3.2
State Regulations..........................................................................................................
5
8.3.3
Local Regulations..........................................................................................................
6
8.4
Wellfields.......................................................................................................................................
7
8.4.1
Wellfield Conditions....................................................................................................7
8.4.2
Miami -Dade County Wellfield Protection Program ........................................
8
8.4.3
Septic Tanks....................................................................................................................
8
8.4.4
Sanitary Sewers.............................................................................................................
9
8.4.5
Stormwater Disposal Methods..............................................................................10
8.4.6
Prohibition of Hazardous Materials Within
Wellfield Protection Areas......................................................................................10
8.4.7
Excavation.....................................................................................................................12
8.4.8
Pipelines for Hazardous Materials.......................................................................12
8.4.9
Prohibition of Resource Recovery and Management Facilities Within
Wellfield Protection Areas......................................................................................13
8.5
Potable
Water Supply and Treatment Facilities...........................................................13
8.5.1
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority................................................................13
8.5.2
Florida City Wellfield................................................................................................15
8.5.3
Water Treatment and Storage Facilities............................................................15
8.5.4
Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility.....................................................16
8.5.5
Water Transmission and Distribution................................................................16
8.6
FKAA
System Status.................................................................................................................17
8.6.1
Impact of FKAA Florida City Wellfield on Adjacent Users ..........................17
8.7
Water Quality.............................................................................................................................17
8.7.1
Salt Water Intrusion..................................................................................................17
8.8
Potable Water System Improvements..............................................................................19
8.8.1
FKAA Capital Improvements Plan........................................................................19
8.8.2
Fire Flows......................................................................................................................21
8.8.3
Storage............................................................................................................................22
8.9
Water
Conservation Programs............................................................................................22
8.9.1
Leak Detection.............................................................................................................23
8.9.2
Public Information Program..................................................................................23
8.9.3
Florida -Friendly Landscape Ordinance/Permanent
IrrigationOrdinance..................................................................................................24
8.9.4
Plumbing Fixture Efficiency Standards..............................................................25
Potable Water
i Technical Document: May 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
8.9.5 Filter Backwash Recycling .................................................... ..................................25
8.9.6 Reuse of Wastewater................................................................................................25
8.9.7 Metering.........................................................................................................................25
8.10 Proposed Level of Service......................................................................................................25
8.10.1 Water Quality Level of Service..............................................................................25
8.10.2 Water Quantity Level of Service...........................................................................26
8.10.3 Potable Water Level of Service Standards Table............................................27
8.11 Present and Project Future Ability to Meet Level of Service Standards..............27
8.11.1 Alternative Water Supplies.....................................................................................27
8.11.2 Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Limitations,
Facilities Inadequacies and Policy Constraints...............................................28
8.11.3 Projected Demand.................................................................................... ...........28
8.11.4 Needs, Goals and Opportunities............................................................................29
Bibliography..........................................................................................................................................................31
List of Figures
Figure Page
Figure 8.1: Miami -Dade County Wellfield Protection Areas................................................................ 4
Figure8.2: FKAA Facilities..............................................................................................................................14
Figure 8.3: FKAA Florida City Monitoring Network..............................................................................18
List of Tables
Table
Pate
Table 8.1: Ground Water Systems in Monroe County............................................................................ 2
Table 8.2: Maximum Flow Rates and Consumption for Plumbing Fixtures
andFixture Fittings......................................................................................................................... 7
Table 8.3: Allowable Storm Water Disposal Methods for Residential
andNonresidential Property....................................................................................................10
Table 8.4: FKAA Budget and Financial Plan - FY ending September 2011..................................20
Table 8.5: Fire Protection Parameters for Selected Distribution Systems
throughoutthe Keys.....................................................................................................................21
Table 8.6: Potable Water Level of Service Standards...........................................................................27
Table 8.7: Goal Potable Water Consumption...........................................................................................27
Table 8.8: Future Potable Water Supply Needs......................................................................................29
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
8.0 POTABLE WATER ELEMENT
[Rule 9J-5.011, F.A.C]
The Potable Water Element of the Monroe County (County) Comprehensive Plan addresses
the data inventory requirements of 9J-5.005(2) of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
The data inventory requirements will support the development of goals, objectives,
policies, and implementation programs for the Potable Water Element.
The purpose of the Potable Water Element of the Comprehensive Plan is to provide
principles and guidelines for infrastructure requirements supporting future and existing
land uses.
8.1 Introduction
The Potable Water Element serves as a guide on the existing and future potable water
systems based on the problems and needs associated with those facilities.. Several
considerations in the development of the Potable Water Element include: an analysis of
existing data, identification of present and potential problems, needs and their solutions,
and projection of future potable water issue and needs for planning purposes. For the
purpose of the County's Comprehensive Plan, potable water is defined as water of sufficient
quality to serve as drinking water.
The Florida Keys (the Keys) are in a unique situation with regard to the supply of potable
water. With virtually no freshwater rivers, lakes or streams, and few freshwater lenses,
residents have had to rely on man-made collection and distribution systems in order to
survive. In 1937, the Florida Legislature, aware that cisterns and container water could not
adequately support the development of the Keys, created the Florida Keys Aqueduct
Commission (FKAC). The Commission was formed to develop potable water facilities for the
County. Until 1940, no centralized public water supply system existed; residents relied, as
they had for more than a century, on the unpredictable source of rainwater collected from
roofs into cisterns. Private wells supplemented this source, but could only be tapped in the
few areas where freshwater lenses exist.
The FKAC reached an agreement with the United States Navy to share in the cost of a water
main from the mainland. Water was pumped from the Biscayne Aquifer, and an 18-inch
main was constructed from well fields near Florida City along the entire length of the Keys to
Key West. The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) replaced the FKAC in 1970 and
assumed responsibility for the aqueduct. In 1981, FKAA, with financial assistance from the
Farmer's Home Administration, commenced construction of major improvements to the
system.
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8.2 Sources of Water
There are no significant sources of fresh surface water in the populated Florida Keys portions
of the County. Two sources of groundwater underlie the County - the Floridan Aquifer
System, and the Biscayne Aquifer. Table 8.1 illustrates the relative positions and
productivities of these hydrogeologic units.
The Floridan Aquifer System (FAS) is a confined artesian aquifer. In the Keys, wells tapping
the FAS will flow at land surface at rates ranging from 75 to 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm).
Although available in significant quantities, Floridan water requires desalination treatment
before it is suitable for either potable or irrigation use. Chloride concentrations in the FAS
range from 1,600 to 20,000 milligrams per liter (mg/1), with concentrations generally
increasing to the south.
Table 8.1- Ground Water Systems in Monroe
County
Largely saline, a lens of relatively
freshwater floats above the saltwater on
Surficial Aquifer System
Biscayne
some of the larger keys. Must be
Aquifer
desalinated for potable use. No additional
withdrawals will be permitted. Vulnerable
to spills and contamination.
Intermediate Confining
Hawthorn
Very low permeability, confining unit for
Unit
Confining Beds
the Floridan Aquifer System.
Wells yield from 75 to 1,000 gallons of
Floridan Aquifer System
Floridan
Aquifer
saline water per minute. Requires
desalination for all uses. Some zones may
be suitable for Aquifer Storage Recovery
(ASR) applications.
Source: South Florida Water Management District
The Biscayne Aquifer is the largest supplier of freshwater in southeast Florida. In the Keys,
water from the Biscayne Aquifer ranges from brackish to chloride levels associated with
seawater and requires desalination for potable use. Some Monroe County residents provide
their own water supply for landscape irrigation using home Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants to
desalinate Biscayne Aquifer water or collecting rain water in cisterns. However, due to the
limited availability of fresh groundwater, its vulnerability to saltwater intrusion and its
importance to wildlife, only a limited number wells have been permitted in this shallow
aquifer since February 1986.
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On some of the larger keys, a lens of freshwater floats above the saltwater. The largest of
these freshwater lenses occur on Key West and Big Pine Key. Limited quantities also occur
on Cudjoe and Sugarloaf Keys. Chloride levels in these lenses are too high for human
consumption, but are suitable for most irrigation purposes, and provide the major source of
drinking water for wildlife.
Today, the FKAA remains the sole supplier of centralized potable water to the Keys, and the
vast majority of the County residents receive their potable water, supply and distribution,
from the FKAA system. Therefore, the County, being a retail customer of FKAA, does not
have any local responsibility for potable water supply or distribution to its citizens. The
primary source of water to the Keys is from the FKAA's Florida City wellfield, which pumps
water from the Biscayne Aquifer and the Floridan Aquifer. System in southeastern Miami -
Dade County (see Figure 8.1).
There are alternative potable and non -potable water supplies in use in the Keys; however,
four other sources provide water supplies: private cisterns, private wells (See Natural
Groundwater Aquifer Recharge element for listing), home desalinization systems, and
bottled water. Most users of these alternative sources rely on them only as supplements to
the FKAA water. Cistern and well water, are often reserved for irrigation and other
non -potable uses. A few residents of mainland Monroe County are served by private wells
and cisterns.
In order to ensure the availability of an adequate quantity and quality of potable water, an
intricate framework of federal, state and local regulations controls the process of supplying
water to the Keys. After a brief discussion of regulatory system, existing facilities and
planned improvements are described. A discussion of water conservation programs is
included, followed by a discussion on the status of the FKAA system. Finally, a needs
assessment and levels of service (LOS) standards are presented.
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Figure 8.1- Miami -Dade County Wellfield Protection Areas
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8.3 Regulatory
[Rule 9J-5.011 (1)(h), F.A.CJ
8.3.1 Federal Regulations
U.S. Public Law 104-182, "Safe Drinking Water Act" (SDWA) was originally passed in 1974
and amended in 1986 and 1996 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public
drinking water supply. The act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
develop criteria for selecting critical aquifer protection areas and gives the EPA authority to
set national health based standards for drinking water. The program calls for state and local
governments to map those areas and develop protection plans, subject to EPA review and
approval. Once a plan is approved, EPA may enter into an agreement with the local
government to implement the plan.
In 2010, EPA published proposed Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida's Lakes
and Flowing Waters, "Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida's Lakes and Flowing
Waters" 40 CRF 131 which describes numeric nutrient water quality criteria to protect
aquatic life in lakes and flowing waters, including canals, within the State of Florida and
proposing regulations to establish a framework for Florida to develop "restoration
standards" for impaired waters.
8.3.2 State Regulations
The Safe Drinking Water Act provides for the protection of public water system wellfield and
aquifers used as the sole source of a community drinking water supply. Amendments
provide for wellfield protection which requires states to work with local governments
through the planning process to identify and to protect wellhead areas.
In accordance with federal guidelines, the Florida Safe Drinking Water Act (Sections 403.850-
403.864, F.S.) has been adopted, which designates the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) as the state agency responsible for the regulation of drinking water. The
DEP has therefore promulgated rules classifying and regulating public water systems,
including mandatory water treatment criteria (Chapter 62-528. F.A.C.) The DEP enforces
both the primary (health) and secondary (aesthetics) water quality standards for public
water supplies in Florida.
In addition to the direct regulation of water distributed in public water supply systems, DEP
establishes standards for various designated uses of natural waters, including potable water.
Under DEP's classification system, Class 1 waters are designated for use as public potable
water supplies. These waters are regulated under standards specifically designed to protect
the public health. The DEP also regulates the use of certain alternative water supply systems,
such as Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants.
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The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is responsible for managing water
resources for a large region which extends from Kissimmee Valley to Key West and spans the
territories of over eighty local governments. Through the consumptive use permitting
process, SFWMD allocates water supplies among public utilities and other users to be
distributed to consumers. The SFWMD can issue Consumptive Use Permits (CUPs) for up to
a 20-year period. The CUPs authorize annual allocations, and can include a number of
limiting conditions that address issues such as maximum daily withdrawals, water level
monitoring, maintenance, and emergency procedures. An important addition to this
permitting process is the water conservation requirement. Since 1988, SFWMD requires
CUP applicants requesting 100,000 gallons per day (gpd) or greater to submit a water
conservation plan that meets SFWMD Guidelines. The FKAA updated its most recent plan as
part of its 2008 Permit renewal November 2008.
8.3.3 Local Regulations
The provision of potable water in unincorporated Monroe County is affected primarily by the
regulations and policies of two governmental bodies, the FKAA and Monroe County, and
peripherally by a third, Miami -Dade County. The FKAA, actually an independent special
district, serves as an autonomous corporate and political body whose primary function is to
obtain, supply, and distribute an adequate water supply for the Florida Keys. As the only
centralized public water source, the FKAA requires, with a few exceptions to be described
later, that all entities desiring a potable water supply must connect to the FKAA facilities if
and when distribution lines are available. FKAA was created by Chapter 76-441, Laws of
Florida and is subject to the provisions of Chapter 120, F.S. and the Florida Administrative
Procedures Act.
The FKAA is governed by a Board of Directors, which appoints an Executive Director to
manage the day-to-day operations and the field, administrative, technical and legal staff.
FKAA's basic operating regulations are outlined in their Policy and Procedure Handbook,
Chapter 48, which is distributed to all new FKAA customers and available online. These
policies cover the detailed organizational rules, provision of water service, service fees,
engineering requirements, service area limitations, and alternative supplies.
Besides managing the centralized public water supply system, FKAA has "the authority to
regulate all potable water supplies within its boundaries." (FKAA, Chapter 48-8.001(1),
F.A.C.) The FKAA therefore has authority over the installation and operation of alternative
water supplies. Single family and duplex residences using alternative systems, and water
supply systems used solely for non -potable purposes are exempt from FKAA permitting
requirements. However, any other entity wishing to construct or operate a well, cistern, RO
system or other alternative supply system must comply with FKAA's conditions for approval
(FKAA, Chapter 48-8.004, F.A.C.)
Although the FKAA has primary responsibility for the potable water supply, the County has
some jurisdiction over supply sources and distribution, especially with regard to land use
and single family or duplex residential development. In compliance with FKAA regulations,
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the Monroe County Code requires "sufficient" potable water from an approved and permitted
source. The Code recognizes alternative water sources, such as wells and cisterns, in
addition to FKAA's distribution system. Section 114-16 of the Monroe County Land
Development Code (MCLDC) states that, "...individual wells shall only be permitted where
there is no public supply of water feasible." Residents are allowed to continue the use of
existing wells; yet, cisterns and other types of, "independent water systems shall be
encouraged whenever permitted" (Sec. 114-46). The County has also water efficiency
standards to augment SFWMD and FKAA programs as defined in the 2007 Florida Building
Code provided in Table 8.2.
Table 8.2 - Maximum Flow Rates and Consumption for Plumbing Fixtures and
Fixture Fittings
PlUnihing FiXtUre or Fixture Fitting
Lavatory, private
Maximum Flow Rate or Quantity
2.2 gpm at 60 psi
Lavatory, public, (metering)
0.25 gallon per metering cycle
Lavatory, public
(other than metering)
0.5 gpm at 60 psi
Shower head a
2.5 gpm at 80 psi
Sink Faucet
2.2 gpm at 60 psi
Urinal
1.0 gallon per flushing cycle
Water closet
1.6 gallons per flushing cycle
Source: 2007 Florida Building Code
For SI: 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute (gpm) = 3.785 L/m,
1 pound per square inch (psi) = 6.895 kPa.
a. A hand-held shower spray is a shower head
b. Consumption tolerances shall be determined from referenced standards.
8.4 Wellfields
[Rule 9J-5.011 (1)(g), F.A.CJ
8.4.1 Wellfield Conditions
The capacity of the FKAA's Florida City wellfield was evaluated in a report prepared by F.W.
Meyer of the U.S. Geological Survey in 1974. In this report water levels in southern Miami -
Dade County, the potentiometric surface of the aquifer, and chloride levels at USGS
monitoring wells were evaluated. Current and planned surface water conveyance systems in
the vicinity were also reviewed.
The potentiometric surface of the Biscayne Aquifer as measured during the 1974 study
showed that, during the period 1960-1971, the average water table elevation at the FKAA
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wellfield was 3.75 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL). The lowest yearly elevation was slightly
below MSL and the average for highest year was slightly higher than five feet above MSL.
In 1984, the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) conducted another survey of the
potentiometric surface of the Biscayne Aquifer. These surveys, one conducted immediately
following the wet season (October 1984) and the other conducted following the dry season
(May 1984), can be used to evaluate regional water levels within the Biscayne Aquifer. From
the surveys, the wet season potentiometric surface at the wellfield was estimated at 3 feet
above MSL and the dry season at 1.5 feet above MSL.
The regional potentiometric surface is affected by groundwater withdrawals, recharge from
conveyance canals, rainfall, and evapotranspiration. The apparent small effect of increased
withdrawals on the aquifer can be attributed to an extremely high transmissivity and storage
coefficient. Consultants to FKAA have asserted that the aquifer could sustain withdrawals of
up to 18 million gallons per day (MGD) average daily flow (ADF) without significant effect on
regional water levels.
Recent data from the USGS water level records indicates that the aquifer has sustained a
mean surface elevation of approximately 2.5 feet above National Geodetic Vertical Datum
(NGVD). This is cited as evidence of minimal effect of increased pumpage on the water table.
The FKAA wellfield could potentially be impacted by salt water intrusion and/or
development in the surrounding area. Presently, the FKAA, in cooperation with the USGS and
Miami -Dade County Environmental Resource Management maintains a ground and surface
water monitoring network around the well field to provide sufficient warning in the event of
serious salt water intrusion. Chlorides average approximately 45 mg/1 or less at the surface
water monitoring points.
8.4.2 Miami -Dade County Wellfield Protection Program
Wellfield protection of the FKAA Florida City Wellfield is accomplished through the
provisions of the Miami -Dade County Potable Water Supply Well Protection Ordinance
(Miami -Dade County Code 24-43). This Code contains the following provisions regarding the
protection of the County's water supply service: Septic Tanks, Sanitary Sewers, Stormwater
Disposal Methods, Prohibition of Hazardous Materials within Wellfield Protection Areas,
Excavation, Pipelines for Hazardous Materials and Prohibition of Resource Recovery and
Management Facilities with Wellfield Protection Areas.
8.4.3 Septic Tanks
The Ordinance provides for regulation of septic tanks within the wellfield cone of influence
as defined by Section 24-43 by requiring that the Miami -Dade County Department of
Environmental Resources Management (DERM) find that the placement of septic tanks and
septic tank drainfields are installed on a parcel of land as far away as is reasonably possible
from potable water supply wells and by establishing specific septic tank sewage loading
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standards. In addition, the Ordinance requires that for septic tanks or septic tank drainfields
located within the maximum day wellfield protection area, a minimum separation from the
nearest public utility potable supply well equivalent to ten days travel time be provided. The
specific distance of the ten-day travel time is dependent upon the transmissivity of the
aquifer.
8.4.4 Sanitary Sewers
Section 24-43 establishes the following sewage loading restrictions and facilities
construction requirements for all sanitary sewers installed within the wellfield protection
area:
• Residential land use - No gravity sanitary sewer shall have an exfiltration rate greater
than 50 gallons per inch pipe diameter per mile per day. Sewer lateral lines located in the
public right-of-way shall be a minimum of six inches in diameter.
• Nonresidential land use - No gravity sanitary sewer shall have an exfiltration rate
greater than 20 gallons per inch pipe diameter per mile per day. Sewer lateral lines
located in the public right-of-way shall be a minimum of six inches in diameter.
All sanitary sewer forced mains shall be constructed of either ductile iron or reinforced
concrete pressure sewer pipe. No such ductile iron sanitary sewer force main shall
exfiltrate at a rate greater than the allowable leakage rate specified in American Water
Works Association Standard C600-82 at a test pressure of 100 pounds per square inch. No
such reinforced concrete pressure sanitary sewer force main shall exfiltrate at a rate
greater than one-half the allowable leakage rate specified for ductile iron pipe in American
Water Works Association Standard C600-82 at a test pressure of 100 pounds per square
inch.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 24-43 (4)(b), all gravity sanitary sewers with
invert elevations above the average surrounding water table elevation and all sanitary
sewer force mains shall be tested to ensure compliance with the aforementioned
exfiltration rate standards.
A registered professional engineer shall provide written certification of the exfiltration rate
for all manhole/gravity sewer pipe systems installed, in equivalent gallons per inch pipe
diameter per mile of pipe per day (24 hours), and the exfiltration rate for all sanitary sewer
force mains in gallons per hour per 1,000 feet of sanitary sewer force main installed.
Existing gravity sanitary sewers with pipe diameters of eight inches or more shall be
visually inspected by television every five years by the responsible utility or property
owner to ensure both structural and pipe joint integrity. Existing manholes shall be visually
inspected for both structural and incoming pipe connection integrity every five years.
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Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Certified test and inspection results and repair logs shall be submitted to the department of
environmental resources management within 30 days after completion of the particular
test, inspection, or repair.
8.4.5 Stormwater Disposal Methods
Stormwater disposal methods which are required by the Wellfield Protection Ordinance
within the wellfield protection area are listed in Table 8.3.
Table 8.3 - Allowable Storm Water Disposal Methods for Residential and
Nonresidential Property
Source: miami-uaae county uramance,,Section 24-43, Table C-1.
Liquid Waste Storage Disposal or Treatment Methods other than septic tanks utilized for the
disposal discharge, storage or treatment of domestic sewage, sanitary sewer lift stations; and
public sanitary sewers are subject to the following provisions:
Notwithstanding the grandfathering provisions of the wellfield protection ordinance, liquid
waste storage, disposal or treatment methods (other than septic tanks utilized for the
disposal discharge, storage or treatment of domestic sewage; sanitary sewer lift stations, and
public sanitary sewers) are prohibited within the wellfield protection area.
8.4.6 Prohibition of Hazardous Materials Within Wellfield Protection Areas
Notwithstanding any provisions of the Wellfield Protection Ordinance, no County or
municipal officer, agent, employee or Board shall approve, grant or issue any building
permit, certificate of use and occupancy (except for changes in ownership), municipal
occupational license (except for changes in ownership), platting action (final plat, waiver of
plat or equivalent municipal platting action) or zoning action (district boundary change,
unusual use, use variance or equivalent municipal zoning action) for any nonresidential
land use, other than a bona fide agricultural land use, a bona fide rockmining use (lake
excavation), a public sewer facilities use, or a public water supply facilities use, within the
Northwest Wellfield protection area or within the West Wellfield Interim protection area
or within the outer wellfield protection zone of the South Miami Heights Wellfield Complex,
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or within the maximum day pumpage wellfield protection area of the Alexander Orr
Wellfield, Snapper Creek Wellfield, Southwest Wellfield, Miami Springs Lower Wellfield,
John E. Preston Wellfield, or Hialeah Wellfield or within the basic wellfield protection area
of any public utility potable water supply well, without obtaining the prior written
approval of the Director or the Director's designee. The Director or the Director's designee
shall issue the Director's or the Director's designee's written approval only if the Director
or the Director's designee determines that the nonresidential land use is in compliance
with Sections 24-43(5)(a), 24-43(5)(b) or 24-43(5)(c).
Approval by the DERM is required for any non-residential use, excluding agricultural and
rock mining uses, within the maximum day pumpage wellfield protection area. This
approval is required of any land use which generates, handles, disposes of, discharges or
stores hazardous materials. Approval is granted only if the DERM determines that all
potential sources of pollution will be located as far away as is reasonably possible from all
potable water supply wells; that hazardous materials will not be used generated, handled,
disposed of, discharged or stored on that portion of the property; and that the following
water pollution prevention and abatement measures are addressed:
• monitoring and detection of water pollution caused by hazardous materials;
• secondary containment of water pollution caused by hazardous materials;
• inventory control and record keeping of hazardous materials;
• stormwater management of water pollution caused by hazardous materials; and
• protection and security of facilities utilized for the generation, storage, usage, handling,
disposal or discharge of hazardous materials.
Replacement, modification or limited expansion of existing facilities which will substantially
reduce the existing risk of pollution from hazardous materials are reviewed by the DERM
based on the following criteria:
• whether the proposed replacement, modification or limited expansion of the facility will
provide adequate and increased monitoring and detection of pollution which may be or
which has been caused by the hazardous materials on the property;
• whether the proposed replacement, modification or limited expansion of the facility will
provide adequate and increased secondary containment of pollution which may be or
which has been caused by the hazardous materials on the property;
• whether the proposed replacement, modification or limited expansion will provide
adequate and increased inventory control and record keeping of hazardous materials on
the property;
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• whether the proposed replacement, modification or limited expansion will provide
adequate and increased stormwater management of pollution which may be or which has
been caused by the hazardous materials on the property; and
• whether the proposed replacement, modification or limited expansion will provide
adequate and increased protection and security of the facilities utilized for the
generation, storage, usage, handling, disposal or discharge of hazardous materials on the
property.
8.4.7 Excavation
Excavation activities within the Wellfield Protection Areas require approval from the DERM
and must comply with the following requirements:
• The property upon which the excavation has occurred or will occur and that portion of
the property which has not been excavated or will not be excavated shall be provided
with protection and security measures to prohibit the handling, disposal of, discharge
storage of hazardous materials, solid waste, or liquid waste in the excavation area or on
the property which has not been excavated or will not be excavated. Said protection and
security shall be subject to the approval of the director or his designee;
• Furthermore, the owner of the property upon which the excavation has occurred or will
occur and that portion of the property which has not been excavated or will not be
excavated in form(s) prescribed by the director and approved by the Board of County
Commissioners. The covenants shall be recorded in the public records of Miami -Dade
County, Florida, by the DERM at the expense of the owner of the property upon which the
excavation is to occur; or
• The excavation has a valid excavation permit or equivalent municipal permit for
excavation and a valid Class IV permit, if required by Article II of the Wellfield Protection
Ordinance, which was obtained prior to September 30, 1983, which permits have been
valid and continuously in full force and effect since their issuance.
8.4.8 Pipelines for Hazardous Materials
Notwithstanding the grandfathering provisions of the Potable Water Supply Well Protection
Ordinance, no installation, construction or operation of any pipeline or portion of pipeline
used for the transmission or storage of any hazardous materials within the basic wellfield
protection area is allowed. The grandfathering provisions provide that pipelines constructed
prior to July 13, 1984, the effective date of the ordinance, are not subject to the ordinance
and can remain operational.
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8.4.9 Prohibition of Resource Recovery and Management Facilities within
Wellfield Protection Areas
Notwithstanding the grandfathering provisions of the Potable Water Supply Well Protection
Ordinance, no permits are issued for any resources recovery and management facility within
the basic wellfield protection area of any public utility water supply well. The grandfathering
provisions of the ordinance provide that valid permits for resource recovery facilities issued
no later than March 12, 1987, may be renewed.
8.5 Potable Water Supply and Treatment Facilities
(Rule 9J-5.011 (1)(c), (d) and (e), F.A. CJ
8.5.1 The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) is the sole supplier of potable water to the
County. The primary purpose of the FKAA is to obtain, supply, and distribute an adequate
water supply for the Florida Keys. The service area of the FKAA includes all of the lands
within the County, but the Authority has the power to obtain potable water outside of its
boundaries and transmit it for sale within its geographic boundaries, and also to serve
customers residing within one mile of its existing pipeline from its wellfield at Florida City in
Miami -Dade County. The dominant land use classification within the service area remains
conservation and residential. Commercial, education, industrial, institutional, military, public
facilities, and recreational uses are also served.
Since the County is a consumer, (a shared facility user), any proportional capacity analyses
are initially based on the service area population. Therefore, consumption rate of
unincorporated Monroe County is factored by its percentage share of the FKAA total
service area population.
The FKAA's source of water for withdrawal is the Biscayne and Floridan Aquifers. The South
Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) regulates water withdrawal from the aquifers
through the issuance of Consumptive Use Permits. The Consumptive Use Permit currently in
effect (SFWMD Water Use Permit No. 13-00005-W) was issued on March 13, 2008, and is
valid for a twenty year period ending March 13, 2028. This permit is actually a re -issuance of
a permit granted by SFWMD on November 14, 2002. The current permit contains an annual
withdrawal of 8.751 billion gallons per year, an average monthly allocation of 809 million
gallons, or 17.79 MGD and an average dry season (December 1- April 30) of 17 MGD.
The following schematic shows the FKAA's facilities and water production and distribution
system excerpted from the Authority's 2008 Application for Water Use Permit Modification
and Renewal. The FKAA system components are shown in Figure 8.2. The entire system
consists of wells, pumps and storage tanks at Florida City, which connects to the water
treatment facility and then to main and distribution lines, pump stations, and various storage
tanks along the chain of keys to Key West.
Potable Water 13 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
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Potable Water 14 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
8.5.2 Florida City Wellfield
The primary raw water source for the system is a wellfield withdrawing from the Biscayne
Aquifer west of Florida City in southeast Miami -Dade County. The aquifer consists of highly
permeable limestone and underlies most of Miami -Dade and Broward Counties. The aquifer,
approximately 75 feet thick at the FKAA wellfield, is recharged directly by rainfall, the
network of SFWMD canals, and ground water seepage. The aquifer discharges through
evapotranspiration, drainage and seepage to the Florida and Biscayne Bays, and by wellfield
pumping.
A condition of the SFWMD CUP requires FKAA to monitor and submit data from the Salt
Water Intrusion Monitoring (SWIM) program to the SFWMD on a monthly basis. In
accordance with an additional condition of the permit FKAA is implementing a Saline Water
Intrusion Monitoring Program (SALT) that utilizes 15 monitoring wells to measure any
movement of the saline water interface. The SFWMD criterion to prevent saltwater intrusion
is that one -foot head of fresh water be maintained between the wellfield and the saline water
source. Saltwater intrusion usually results from a sustained decrease in fresh water head,
allowing saltwater to migrate inland. Results of groundwater modeling indicate that
drawdowns associated with increased withdrawals are minimal. The FKAA in cooperation
with the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) maintains a ground and surface water quality
monitoring network around the wellfield that is sampled monthly.
The network consists of two wells with continuous water level recorders, three canal
sampling points, and six monitor wells. From the data included in the 2008 Application for
Water Use Permit Modification -Renewal, it was concluded that in 2008 the 1,000
mg/lisochlor was estimated to be six miles southeast of the wellfield and was in
approximately the same location as was reported in 1974.
8.5.3 Water Treatment and Storage Facilities.
The Florida City Water Treatment Plant (FCWTP) underwent extensive modification
completed in August 1989 and is the sole water treatment facility utilized by the FKAA. The
FDEP rated capacity for the FCWTP is 23.8 MGD. The FCWTP uses a process of lime softening
followed by filtration as the core of its treatment process. Water disinfection is accomplished
through contact with free or combined chlorine. Fluoridation is also provided to reduce the
incidence of dental cavities.
The raw water flow rate is measured at each well discharge line by electronic, propeller type
flow meters. A raw water metering facility measures total flow into the treatment system.
Following treatment, the total treated water leaving the pipeline is also measured with a flow
meter. Next, the total treated water pumped to the transmission main is measured and
finally meters measure the flow at end user locations.
The raw water quality in the Biscayne Aquifer continues to be acceptable for potable water
supply. With treatment, this water is capable of meeting all federal and state primary and
Potable Water 15 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
secondary water quality standards. In addition to governmental quality standards, potable
water should appeal to the public: clear, colorless, pleasant to the taste, cool, non -staining,
and convenient to use. The raw water supply at Florida City is also capable of satisfying all
these criteria with minimal treatment. However, the total hardness of the raw water does
pose treatment problems. The raw water hardness at Florida City, 280 mg/1 as CaCO,
exceeds what is normally considered the desirable range for domestic use. The American
Waterworks Association suggests a finished water hardness goal of 100 mg/1 as CaCO for
distribution. The Florida City Treatment Plant currently produces finished water with a total
hardness between 100 mg/1 and 120 mg/l as CaCO.
Storage facilities maintained by the FKAA have a total storage capacity of 45.2 MG; of this
amount, there is 17 MG of storage available in above ground storage reservoirs at Florida
City. The remaining capacity is obtained from tanks located throughout the transmission and
distribution system that provide an additional 28.2 MG of storage capacity.
The FKAA is a closed system that does not have any interconnects with other water supply
systems. FKAA also operates emergency pumping stations located at Florida City, Key Largo,
Long Key, Marathon, Ramrod Key and Stock Island.
8.5.4 Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility
The FKAA has two RO desalinization plants located in Marathon and on Stock Island. The
treatment plants have a capacity of 6.0 MGD and are maintained on a standby condition. The
Stock Island plant was originally constructed to provide additional treated water while the
18" transmission system was being upgraded in 1983. The plant has the capacity of
providing 2 MGD. The recently constructed Marathon (RO) plant provides additional
treatment capacity of 1 MGD.
8.5.5 Water Transmission and Distribution
The FKAA distributes potable water from the treatment plant to the Keys via a 130-mile,
large -diameter main running the length of U.S. 1 that is connected to a series of storage and
pumping facilities. A separate network of small distribution lines on each Key connect to the
transmission main.
The current transmission system in the Middle and Upper Keys consists of 36-inch and 30-
inch-diameter transmission mains along U.S. 1 and a 12-inch-diameter transmission main
along Route 905 to Ocean Reef. These transmission mains were constructed in the early
1980s. The current transmission system continues with 24-inch-diameter transmission
mains that were constructed in the Lower Keys in the late 1980s and mid-1990s.
Approximately 52 miles of the original 18-inch-diameter transmission main are still in
service and supplement the newer 36-inch to 24-inch-diameter transmissions mains to
meet the increasing water demands of the Keys.
Potable Water 16 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
8.6 FKAA System Status
[Rule 9J-5.011 (1)(d), F.A.C]
8.6.1 Impact of FKAA Florida City Wellfield on Adjacent Users
FKAA has evaluated the impacts of its Florida City Wellfield on adjacent users of the Biscayne
and Floridan Aquifer System. Regional groundwater flows at the site are towards the
southeast. The aquifers ability to yield water in this area is extremely high and it has been
ranked as one of the most permeable in the world (Klien and Hull, 1978: USGS WRI 78-107).
Pumping tests conducted by FKAA at the site since 1987, as part of a well replacement
program, supports the Klein and Hull analysis.
To project the impacts from the proposed allocation on adjacent users, FKAA staff simulated
the projected drawdown cone. The intent of the model parameters was to approximate
worst case conditions, 90 days of maximum pumpage with no recharge from rainfall or
canals. FKAA concluded that the potential for adverse impacts on adjacent legal users as a
result of the approved allocation is minimal. The existing legal users were identified by
FKAA and were addressed in the predicted drawdowns.
For the Biscayne Aquifer, per the SFWMD Consumptive Use Permit (CUP), the available
drawdown availability is approximately 81 feet. A maximum volume of water utilization of
17.79 MGD withdrawal therefore will not exceed the yield capacity of the aquifer. The water
resource availability of the Biscayne Aquifer is not expected to be exceeded as a result of
the withdrawal of the recommended allocation. For the Floridan Aquifer, a simulated
withdrawal of 10.27 MGD resulted in a drawdown of approximately 15 feet. The available
drawdown in the aquifer is approximately 929 feet. The potential for harm to occur to the
water resource availability of the Floridan Aquifer System as a result of the withdrawal of
the recommended allocation is considered minimal.
FKAA therefore concluded that the potential for adverse environmental impacts or impacts
on existing legal users as a result of their proposed allocation is minimal.
8.7 Water Quality
[Rule 9J-5.011 (1)(f), F.A.CJ
8.7.1 Salt Water Intrusion
FKAA employs a Saltwater Intrusion Monitoring (SWIM) network consisting of 15 wells. (see
locations depicted on Figure 8.3). The wells monitor water levels, chloride concentrations,
and conductivity between the wellfield and the saltwater source. Variations in chloride and
conductivity have been recorded as the saltwater fronts moves past the sampling zone.
Because of these variations, collected water samples may not be representative of the actual
fresh -saltwater interface.
Potable Water 17 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
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Potable Water 18 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
8.8 Potable Water System Improvements
[Rule 9J-5.011 (1)(f), F.A.0
8.8.1 FKAA Capital Improvements Plan
The FKAA has a long range capital improvements plan which addresses both distribution
systems and transmission and supply systems improvements through the year 2020. The
program's projected expenditures total is $208.6 million, with $47.5 million earmarked for
distribution system improvements and $33.5 million earmarked for pump and storage
improvements. The capital improvements plan is to be funded by system development fees
and the existing surcharge on water sales. The FKAA Capital Improvements Program is
presented in Table 8:4.
The FKAA assesses System Development Fees to new and existing customers who modify,
add or construct facilities which impose a potential increased demand on the water system.
This fee is charged in order to equitably adjust the fiscal burden of new pipeline and to
expanded or improve appurtenant facilities between existing customers and new water
users.
All System Development Fees are allocated to the direct and indirect cost of capital
improvements made necessary by actual and expected increased demand on the water
system. In addition, the FKAA is authorized to charge tapping fees, meter test fees, and
investigation fees.
The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Potable Water 19 Technical Document: May 2011
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Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
8.8.2 Fire Flows
The FKAA has not had sufficient water pressure to provide fire protection throughout
the Keys. The following Table 8.5 chart provides the parameters for the new and
proposed (upgraded) systems.
Table 8.5 - Fire Protection Parameters for Selected Distribution Systems
throughout the Keys
Lake Surprise - Between Adams Cut and 1,000 120,000
Lake Surprise
Rock Harbor
1,000
120,000
Tavernier
500
60,000
Plantation Key
500
60,000
Lower Matecumbe
500
60,000
Duck Key/Grassy Key
750
90,000
Marathon, Crawl Key
1,000
120,000
Marathon, 69th Street
500
60,000
Marathon, Vaca Cut
1,000
120,000
Marathon, 33rd Street
1,000
120,000
Ramrod Key
500
60,000
Summerland Key
500
60,000
Upper Sugarloaf Key
500
60,000
Lower Sugarloaf Key
500
60,000
Stock Island Distribution
1,000
120,000
0001 Lc. c-iNnn w- i cai vvaLci DybLcut Wr 1V1dNLeC r1an, vecemDer zuub
Monroe County, FL, 10 Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan, May 2009
The FKAA and Monroe County had entered into entered into an agreement in
September 2007, for installation and maintenance of fire hydrants in unincorporated
Monroe County. This agreement acknowledges the majority of the water distribution
system is not designed to provide fire flow and FKAA does not guarantee fire flow and
purpose of the fire hydrants will be to provide various locations to fill fire fighting
apparatus. The agreement continues stating the County Fire Rescue will recommend
fire hydrant locations for proposed plans on the Distribution system, while FKAA will
evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of the recommended locations. Only
Potable Water 21 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
hydrants that are determined to be technically feasibly will be installed and the
County will fund any hydrants found to be technically feasibly but not economically
feasible. Technical feasibility will be based on a 250 GPM and pressure of 20 PSI. The
agreement continues to define funding and maintenance fee responsibilities between
the County and the FKAA.
8.8.3 Storage
The FKAA Master Plan for Water Supply, Treatment and Transmission Facilities
proposes increased storage capacity, to a total goal of 90 MG in the year 2025. This
will provide for reliable service for distribution during plant or power outages,
supplying 10 days of storage at 50 percent of the annual average daily flow in the year
2010. The total storage requirements will be divided between transmission and
distribution systems. Fifty percent of the total storage capacity will be accessible to
the transmission system for pumping and backpumping during plant and pipeline
outages. The remaining 50 percent will be within the distribution system.
8.9 Water Conservation Programs
[Rule 9J-5.011 (1)(h), F.A.CJ
The Water Resources Act of 1972, Chapter 373, F.S. formally designated the
conservation of water as a key policy of the state and mandated that state and
regional water resource agencies take steps to prohibit wasteful and unreasonable
uses of the state's water supply. For South Florida, the adoption of the act thrust the
SFWMD into a lead role in water supply planning and regulation.
Water conservation is a high priority in SFWMD policy and rules as well as in DEP
rules, in keeping with the statutory mandate. To maximize the reasonable and
beneficial uses of water, the SFWMD applies water conservation related criteria
District -wide.
As part of its efforts to conserve freshwater resources in areas of high demand, the
SFWMD will continue to analyze and support the development of alternative water
sources such as use of Floridan Aquifer withdrawals reverse osmosis and use of
reclaimed water. Also, as noted below, the SFWMD will continue to investigate and
support other supply augmentation alternatives. The development of other supply
sources, however, does not lessen the requirements for conservation and efficient
water uses. As discussed below, inefficient or wasteful uses of water are not
considered reasonable or beneficial.
A related concept found in Florida's water use policy is the use of the lowest quality
water available and appropriate for a specific use. This policy, for example,
encourages the replacement of high quality ground water with treated wastewater for
irrigation purposes if a feasible source is available. The effect of this policy is to
optimize the utilization of available resources by requiring diversification of sources.
rotanle water 22 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
The SFWMD identifies areas that have or will experience water supply problems in
the next 20 years. During the past decade, the use of potable water for lawn and
landscape irrigation has drawn extensive attention, culminating in new Year Round
Water Conservation rules, Rule 40E-2 and 20, F.A.C., and has been the focus of
numerous conservation campaigns. These efforts have included water shortage
awareness campaigns and Florida -Friendly (low -irrigation landscaping) programs.
These types of aggressive water conservation/efficient uses campaigns are supported
by the Potable Water policies in the Policy Document.
The SFWMD will continue to work closely with local governments to encourage
programs to reduce demands, develop alternative supply sources, protect
environmental resources and otherwise carry out the Potable Water policies
contained in the Policy Document.
The SFWMD imposed as a limiting condition on the Consumptive Use Permit issued in
March 2008, a requirement for continued use and updating of the water conservation
plan within the FKAA service area. The FKAA prepared its latest Water Conservation
Plan in March 2007. The next sections (8.9.1 - 8.9.7) review the major components of
the Water Conservation Plan.
8.9.1 Leak Detection
Leaks in the transmission/distribution system have historically contributed to
tremendous losses in potable water; losses that have now been substantially reduced
by an aggressive leak detection program. The FKAA has implanted Automatic Meter
Reading (AMR) technology that not only assists FKAA in automatic leak detection but
also notify customers of potential leaks on the consumer -side of the meter. A
schedule has been set up and routine investigations are performed in each area of the
County on a bi-weekly basis. Weekly reports are submitted to the FKAA Operations
Department and filed for future reference. One person is assigned the responsibility
of leak detection on a full-time basis, with assistance available from the Operations
personnel. A detection device was utilized in 1983, during which time FKAA
unaccounted for water (leaks) totaled 33 percent based on production versus sales.
The latest figures available indicate an average unaccounted for water figure of 13
percent signifying a dramatic reduction in water loss from leaks.
8.9.2 Public Information Program
Since 1988, the FKAA has implemented a program to provide a Water Conservation
Kit to each new customer and to existing customers on a request basis. The kit
included a shower flow restrictor, a toilet tank water bag, and leak detector dye
tablets. The Authority also sends an informational pamphlet to customers exceeding
20 percent of normal monthly consumption, which contains information related to
finding and repairing plumbing leaks. The Authority conducts lectures at primary and
Potable Water 23 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
secondary schools throughout the County and distributes informational pamphlets
and water conservation activity books.
8.9.3 Florida -Friendly Landscape Ordinance/Permanent Irrigation
Ordinance
As defined by Section 373.185, F.S., the State's Water Management Districts are
required to design and implement incentive programs to encourage local
governments to adopt a "Florida Friendly" Landscape Ordinance. Currently, Monroe
County does not have a Florida -Friendly landscape ordinance or a permanent
irrigation ordinance, but intends to develop such regulations with input from the
FKAA, SFWMD, and other appropriate agencies. Section 114-102 of the current
Monroe County Land Development Code requires that 70 percent of the plant
materials used to satisfy landscaping requirements for new development will be
native species which require little irrigation. Florida -Friendly landscaping involves
the utilization of plants which require little water or grouping plants according to
their water needs thus irrigating more efficiently.
Additionally, the County has a water conservation component of the Nonresidential
Rate of Growth Ordinance (Section 138-47). The intent of this ordinance is to
encourage the planting of native vegetation and promote water conservation. The
graded scale (points) are assigned to the project based on the percentage of native
landscape plants on the property beyond that is required within landscaped
bufferyards and parking areas.
A water efficient irrigation system can be achieved through an irrigation system audit
and calibration program. Of the 45,000 accounts within the FKAA service area
approximately 600 have some form of landscape irrigation system, of which
approximately 100 are not supplied by the FKAA's potable water system. Irrigation
system auditing would include testing of the water source for pressure and output
rate, testing sprinkler heads for precipitation rate and coefficient of uniformity and
setting irrigation zones for proper times and frequencies. Using the SFWMD Blaney
Criddle model as the ideal irrigation requirement, a 5,000 square foot lot would take a
technician approximately two hours to complete an audit. Based on a study
conducted in Hillsborough County, Florida, which documented water savings
resulting from a calibrated and properly scheduled irrigation system, an average of 27
percent water savings would result at each participating home. Assuming that
outdoor water use is approximately 25 percent of the consumer total use, potential
water savings per home would be approximately 4,000 gallons per year.
Potable Water 24 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
8.9.4 Plumbing Fixture Efficiency Standards
As stated above, the County's plumbing fixture standards require the installation of
ultra -low volume fixtures for all new construction. The projected average monthly
water consumption reduction per residential unit is expected be approximately 15
gallons per capita per day.
8.9.5 Filter Backwash Recycling
Recycling of the sludge decant from the sludge thickeners is performed continually at
the Florida City Water Treatment Plant.
8.9.6 Reuse of Wastewater
In an effort to provide the highest quality potable water while reducing the
environmental impact associated with increased aquifer withdrawals, the FKAA is
constantly seeking out viable Alternative Water Supplies (AWS). This includes
reclaimed water for reuse and wastewater recycling. As stated in the FKAA
conservation plan, the benefits of using reclaimed water include the disposal of
effluent in an environmentally friendly manner, extending the life of drinking water
supply sources, postponing costly additional potable water infrastructure, and
providing an irrigation supply during drought restrictions. Although the Monroe
County Wastewater Master Plan concluded that reclaimed water was not feasible to
install, operate, and maintain in the Florida Keys/Monroe County, the FKAA plans to
evaluate each of its wastewater service areas to determine ways to implement and
feasibly provide reclaimed water for its customers.
8.9.7 Metering
The FKAA has the capability to meter raw water withdrawal and finished water
introduction into the transmission lines at the Florida City Water Treatment Plant.
Point of delivery metering is accomplished at every consumer within the FKAA
system. This allows for accurate unaccounted for water reports to be produced on a
monthly basis.
8.10 Proposed Level of Service
[Rule 9J-5.011 (1)(e)(5), F.A.C]
8.10.1 Water Quality Level of Service
Potable water quality can be expressed in terms of the water quality standards as
defined in Chapter 62-550 of Florida Administrative Code, "Safe Drinking Water Act".
This legislation was promulgated in order to assure that public drinking water
systems meet minimum drinking water requirements.
Potable Water 25 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to enforce
recently adopted federal drinking water standards under the 1996 Safe Drinking
Water Act. These standards, when in effect, will supersede all other drinking water
standards.
The water quality LOS standards for the County are as follows:
• Minimum potable water quality shall be as defined by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
• The FKAA's construction of new treatment facilities has achieved the following
planned objectives:
- Produce finished water that meets all primary and secondary water standards
including trihalomethanes;
- Provide full treatment including softening and filtration;
- Produce stable non -corrosive water for distribution; and
Limit finished water hardness to between 100 mg/1 and 150 mg/1 as CaCO3.
As a condition of the SFWMD CUP, and consistent with the 2005-2006 Lower East
Coast Water Supply Plan Update (February, 2007), the FKAA must be compliant with
the Minimum Flows and Levels Recovery Plan, Rule 40E-8, F.A.C. with its water
resource operations. Any changes to the recovery plan by SFWMD will require a
modification to the CUP, to remain consistent with the provisions of Chapter 373, F. S.
8.10.2 Water Quantity Level of Service
The potable water quantity LOS methodology was developed in conjunction with the
SFWMD and the FKAA, from which the data was obtained.
The potable water LOS is divided into two categories: residential in
gallons/capita/day, and nonresidential, expressed in gallons/square foot/day.
Residential use is defined as permanent and seasonal residences including single
family, multifamily, senior, and mobile homes. Nonresidential is defined as
commercial use with hotels and motels included in this category and the Navy and
governmental uses excluded due to their uniqueness and their projected constant
consumption rates.
The residential LOS is based on the permanent population plus the portion of the
seasonal population living in residences. The seasonal number is defined as the
average daily seasonal population living in residences on an annual basis. This level is
57.0 gallons/capita/day.
notable Water 26 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
The nonresidential LOS is based upon building square footages of commercial space
in the unincorporated County including hotels and motels. This level is 0.29
gallons/square foot/day.
The overall consumption goal for the system is 86.00 gallons/capita/day.
8.10.3 Potable Water Level of Service Standards Table
Table 8.6 - Potable Water Level of Service Standards
Residential LOS J 66.5 gallons ca ita day
Non -Residential LOS 10.35 gallons/square foot/day
Note:
Equivalent Residential Unit: 149 gallons per day (2.24 average persons per household X 66.5
gallons/capita/day
Table 8.7 - Goal Potable Water Consumption
Residential
57
gallons
ca ita da
Non-residential
.29
gallons/square
foot/day
Overall
86
gallons
ca ita da
Source: NKAA
8.11 Present and Projected Future Ability to Meet Level of Service
Standards (Rule 9J-5.011 (1)(f), F.A.CJ
8.11.1 Alternative Water Supplies
The alternatives for persons living in the Keys who do not obtain water from FKAA
are cisterns, home desalination systems, and bottled water for potable use with a
supplemental well used for toilets and showers.
The groundwater in the Keys is characteristically high in hydrogen sulfide which is
very corrosive to fixtures if used untreated. For this reason, home reverse osmosis
plants are useful in the Keys. DEP permits these plants, but FKAA estimates that only
a handful are presently in use in the Keys. Monroe County has recently undertaken a
plan to inventory all wells and cisterns so that the extent of these forms of alternative
water supply use will be known.
As reported by FKAA and in support of the Alternative Water Supply Initiative, FKAA
has secured all required regulatory permits needed to construct an ASR well with an
estimated depth of 1,350 ft. Construction of the ASR well commenced in January
2006 and is completed. The well is located in a protected area within the J. Robert
Dean Water Treatment Plant in Florida City. Once constructed, the ASR well will
Potable Water 27 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
have the potential to supply large volumes of water "Stored" in the Floridian
Aquifer during low demand or wet season periods and "Recovered" in the dry
season or in periods of high demand.
Because the County does not own or operate any portion of the water supply,
treatment, or distribution system, and is merely a retail customer of the FKAA, the
requirements to "evaluate the degree to which the County has implemented the work
plan for building public, private, and regional water supply facilities" is not applicable.
The County will continue its cooperative agreement with the FKAA and participate in
conservation and other potable water initiatives sponsored by the Authority.
8.11.2 Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Limitations, Facilities Inadequacies
and Policy Constraints
The active Consumptive Use Permit (Limiting Condition Number 25) indicates that
the allocation contained in SFWMD Water Use Permit No. 13-00005-W is, "... based on
the population projections from in the Monroe County Planning Department at the
time of the application in 2008". This permit is subject to modification if the
population projections within the plan are revised or modified and at the time of
renewal, prior to March 2028.
8.11.3 Projected Demand
The future potable water demand was calculated for the current year using the
established LOS of 66.66 gallons/capita/day for residential and 0.35 gallons/square
foot/day for non-residential. The 20 year planning period (2005-2025) depicted in
the County's 2009 Water Supply Plan (May 2009), and the FKAA 20-Year Water
System Capital Improvement Plan, indicated the demand was calculated using the
projected water demand rate accounting for the FKAA leak detection program which
has a goal of 13 percent unaccounted for water. These demand projections also
concurs with the total Unincorporated Functional Population Project with this
Comprehensive Plan. A summary of future water supply demands are provided in
Table 8.8.
The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Potable Water 28 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Table 8.8 - Future Potable Water Supply Needs
FKAA Service Population*
157,933
158,511
159,091
159,674
160,173 #
Unincorporated County
69,923
70,445
70,951
71,458
71964
Population **
% Population Unincorporated
44%
44%
45%
45%
45%#
Average Daily Flow - Total
20.07
22.08
23.41
23.88
#
24.34
System (MGD) *
Average Daily Flow -
8.89
9.81
10.44
10.69
10.94 ##
Unincorporated County (MGD)
* SFWMD Consumptive Use Permit Application Number: 050329-23 (FKAA), March 2008
** Population Projections Unincorporated Monroe County, August 30, 2010
# Extrapolated Value
## Interpolated Value
The projected Finished Water Demand is expected to increase to 22.08 MGD in 2015
and 23.41 MGD in 2030.
8.11.4 Needs, Goals and Opportunities
A primary goal of the County will be to continue to support the FKAA in fulfillment of
their statutory obligation and authority to provide for safe, high quality and adequate
supply, treatment, distribution, and conservation of potable water to meet the needs
of present and future residents. The County shall also ensure that at the time of
development permit issue, adequate potable water supply is available for the
proposed use at the adopted level of service.
The County will continue to utilize the following goals in addressing system needs.
These shall include:
• Implement a concurrency management system that is consistent with the South
Florida Water Management District Lower East Coast Regional Water Supply
Plan and Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority 20-year Water System Capital
Improvement Master Plan;
• Prepare and maintain a 10-year Water Supply Work Plan that identifies
alternative water supply projects, traditional water supply projects,
conservation, and reuse necessary to meet the Monroe County Unincorporated
Area water supply needs, consistent with the SFWMD Lower East Coast Regional
Water Supply Plan and the FKAA 20-year Water System Capital Improvement
Master Plan;
Potable Water 29 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
• Secure funding through all available means, including but not limited to, grants,
loans and user assessments to assure the completion of capital improvement
project in accordance with the County CIP priority and timeline; and
• Update the 10-year Water Supply Work Plan every 5 years or within 18 months
after the governing board of the SFWMD approves an updated regional water
supply plan.
• Finally, the identified goals for Potable water supply and distribution include:
• FKAA shall continue to upgrade the distribution system toward the goal of
providing fire flow capabilities in the following areas:
- Proposed Fire Flow Areas:
I. Key West and Stock Island (current fire flow areas)
2. Everywhere on US 1, except non -developable areas
3. Ocean Reef
4. Key Colony Beach
S. Layton
6. Marathon
7. Duck Key
8. Tavernier
Proposed Fire Flow Requirements by Land Use Zone:
1. Suburban Residential 750 gpm
2. Mobile Home, Recreational Vehicle 1,500 gpm
3. Urban Commercial, Suburban Commercial, and Commercial 2,000
gpm
• All commercial facilities not along US 1 shall provide "on site" fire abatement, as
currently required. In all other areas, the FKAA aqueduct system shall not be
considered even as a future primary fire abatement source; however, all line
upgrades shall be designed and constructed so as to provide approximately 250
gpm and 20 psi to extreme locations.
The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank
rorame water 30 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Bibliography
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, "Water Conservation Plan," March 2007.
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Strategic Plan, November 20, 2007.
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, FKAA Water Sold Report August 1991
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Unaccounted for Water Report, 2009
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Wellhead Protection Program, February 2010.
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, 20-year Water System Capital Improvement Master
Plan, December 2006.
South Florida Water Management District, Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan,
2005-2006 Update
Klein and Hull. 1987. Biscayne Aquifer, Southeast Florida. USGS WRI 78-107, PB
291250.
Monroe County, FL, 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan, May 2009
Miami -Dade County, Miami -Dade County Potable Water Supply Protection Ordinance,
1987.
Miami -Dade County, Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Element, April 1988.
South Florida Water Management District, "Water Use Permit Reissue #13-00005-W,"
issued to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, March 10, 2008.
South Florida Water Management District, Draft Water Supply Policy Document, April
1991
South Florida Water Management District, Draft Water Supply Needs and Sources,
1990-2010, June 1991.
Potable Water 31 Technical Document: May 2011
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