Increased Demand because of population growth, commercial and industrial expansion and use habits. Salt Water Intrusion – wellfields closer to the ocean have had to be shut down and new well sites have had to be developed further west. There is not always a straight-line relationship. SWI can sometimes be worse farther west because of geological or geographical factors such as the New River loop. Variation in Weather Cycles – recent multi-year drought conditions have depleted the Biscayne Aquifer and demand has outstripped supply. Changes in Regulation – Our current situation with the RAC is a result of changes in regulation and the way in which the regulatory agencies have chosen to implement and enforce them.
Some Significant Dates – The City has been dealing with the water issue for many years. Dania Beach: Current Consuption Use Permit (CUP) approved by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) – 3/15/01 City Applies for New CUP – Approved by SFWMD – Spring 2006 Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) prepared by Dania Beach – Identified Water Supply Availability FDCA found EAR Insufficient – 6/30/05 – One area of Insufficiency was need to “Identify funding source and costs for Water Treatment Upgrades...” and “Availability of Potable Water....through the planning timeframe” FDCA staff approved water supply responses – 1/18/06 FDCA found revised EAR Sufficient – 4/30/07 South Florida Water Management District Approval of the 2005 - 2008 Lower East Coast Regional Supply Plan by the SFWMD - Local governments were given 18 months to adopt a 10-year Water Supply Plans and amend their comprehensive plans consistent with the LECWSP. Water Resource Allocation Rule – Limited Biscayne Withdrawals to the largest 12 month period from Jan 2001 to Dec 2005 reducing Dania Beach’s allocation by 0.2 mgd April 2009 – Adoption of the City of Dania Beach 10-year Water Supply Plan and related comprehensive Plan Amendments: Dania Beach’s due date was August 2008 April 11, 2008 - WSP Transmitted to FDCA May 5, 2008 - SFRPC found WSP consistent with Regional Policy Plan The City adopted its WSP and comp plan amendments on April 28, 2009
July 2009 – Water Supply Plan found to be “not in compliance” by Florida DCA – A finding of “not in compliance” keys a statutorily prescribed process that requires that an Administrative Hearing be set by the DCA’s Division of Administrative Hearings in preparation for a decision on necessary remedial amendments to correct the deficiencies identified. Upon receiving the finding of “not in compliance” staff began immediately communicating with DCA and the SFWMD to determine what was necessary to bring the plan amendments into compliance. They included: Agreement of the population projections in the WSP, the comp plan amendments and the City’s CUP application. Identifying an adequate supply of water for the 5 and 10 year planning period. The City’s proposed horizontal well project was not deemed to be acceptable as an alternative water source because the District is not satisfied that it is proven technology. Staff and consultant efforts resulted in agreement of the population projections, a determination that the City will have a surplus of water in 2015, but will be deficiency by .3mgd (300,000 gallons per day) in 2020. The long-term (2020) capacity deficiency is the most difficult issue.- permitted capacity (i.e., allowance for water to be drawn from the Biscayne Aquifer) is projected to be adequate through 2018. Water source must be “assured” – that means funded Alternative source must be identified - If the amount of water allocated in the City’s Consumptive Use Permit is not adequate to meet demands an alternative water source must be identified to make the difference. Originally the WSP was depending on the horizontal well to serve as the alternative source. The District’s rejection of that source means the City must meet the shortfall (300,000 gpd in 2020) some other way. The only other viable option in the near term is the purchase of capacity..
Re-designates the various land use uses within the boundaries of the CRA to “Regional Activity Center” No changes in residential density or non-residential intensity are proposed. Therefore there is no projected increase in demands for infrastructure,
Staff response to the shortened deadline has taken three simultaneous tracks Lobbyist – As of Monday, 11/9 . . . Broward County – This is not an option in the short term The County is modeling the wellfield now and expects to have results later this month. If it is determined that there is adequate capacity, the County staff has agreed to sell it to Dania Beach at a cost similar to what we are paying now and with no reserve charge. This could not occur until after the County’s permit is approved, which is estimated to be May 2010. Hollywood – The agreement for reserve capacity with Hollywood is for finished (potable) water. Capacity in the amount of 300,000 gpd would be available in 2020. It is and assured, but expensive option.