|
Water Policy Review Commission
Final Report
Approved by the
Water Policy Review Commission
June 10, 2002
BACKGROUND
In accordance with the County's Charter (Section 1313) the Volusia County Council was directed to convene and fund a Water Policy Review Commission no later than May 2001. In April 2001, the County Council appointed the following nine citizens as members:
Bill Scovell *
Fritz Behring**
Randy Brewer
Richard Fernandez
Ken HoblickElizabeth Layton
Thomas McClelland
Beth McGee
Steven Provost
* Elected as Chair
**Elected as Vice-chairCindy Finney of the County Manager's Office served as the WPRC staff liaison. The Commission met monthly beginning on May 24, 2001, for a total of 14 meetings. Its mission, per the charter, was to:
- Evaluate the progress of the Volusia Water Alliance or its successors.
- Evaluate the status of applicable water plans, with specific attention to aquifer protection, minimum flows and levels, water recharge, wellfield management and alternative water supply planning. The Commission however, is not limited to these issues.
- Propose amendments to the Charter as needed to ensure an adequate supply of affordable, potable and sustainable water will be available to all citizens within the County. The Commission may perform only those functions directly related to water policy in Volusia County
INTRODUCTION
This Commission believes it is no coincidence that it has been tasked to look at water issues during a time when droughts have dramatically reshaped our rivers and lakes and depleted our underground water supplies. This crippling dry spell has made it imperative for the citizens of Volusia County to look at our water resources in a new way, so that our children and their children can be assured of having a sustainable, affordable, potable water supply.There is a "culture of water use" existing in Florida - - the perception that there is an endless supply of water for any and all purposes. Studies show this is far from true. The County's aquifer level tracking program indicates our sole source aquifer has been depleted by the area's growing population coupled with the "there is no tomorrow" water usage mind set.
Records show that in the past 30 years, our rainfall has been greater than the previous 30-year period. In spite of this, the aquifer has shown a downward trend while receiving more rain. Presently its potentiometric surface has declined more than 14 feet from its pre-development level. It will take above normal rain and an aggressive, public water conservation program for the aquifer to begin to recover. As our area continues to grow and develop, this recovery program may not show increases in aquifer levels but may be considered a success if we simply hold our own.VOLUSIAN WATER ALLIANCE
In its review of the Volusian Water Alliance, the Commission is in agreement that the VWA has done a good job of long-term water supply planning and the beginnings of a water conservation program. This program, headed by Deborah Green, is particularly noteworthy, given the size of its staff (one person) and limited budget.One of the keys to the Alliance's effectiveness was that it brought all parties to the table to work on water solutions for the first time in history. However, the Alliance's composition of voting and nonvoting members has caused problems in that some nonvoting municipalities have withdrawn their support of the group.
The Commission supports the Implementation Strategy Alternatives Evaluation developed for the VWA by consultant Jacob Varn. Mr. Varn promotes the creation of a water management entity bringing all water users to the table as equal voting members. This also concurs substantially with the central recommendation of the Volusia Water Advisory Board, which was the formation of an organization for centralized well field management and raw water production for existing utilities and future governmental systems. This would not interfere with the historic revenue stream produced from these utilities.
Furthermore, it is the recommendation of this Commission that the Volusia County Council support and implement the Regional Aquifer Management Plan (Ramp) as outlined in the Volusian Water Alliance 20-year Water Supply Plan.
WPRC RECOMMENDATIONS
1) CREATION OF A CENTRALLY MANAGED WATER PRODUCTION SYSTEM
State law does not allow the Charter to be modified by referendum to create a central water management organization. In light of this, the Commission recommends the placement of an advisory referendum on the fall ballot seeking voter direction. A substantial "yes" or "no" vote would send a clear message to local government leaders as to the path they should follow regarding our water supply future.
The advisory question is:"Do you support creating a centrally managed wholesale water production system for Volusia County to better manage groundwater resources?"
Should the Volusian Water Alliance adopt the Implementation Strategy Alternatives Evaluation and agree to form the entity as recommended in this report, this item can be withdrawn.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
You may recall the Volusia Water Policy Advisory Board (VWAB) was created by the County Council to study water-related issues and recommend actions to ensure the preservation of the County's future water supply through good groundwater management practices, comprehensive planning and interlocal cooperation. The establishment of the VWAB was a recommendation of the Charter Review Commission in light of compelling public interest in preserving affordable, potable and sustainable water resource in our County and the uncertainties of existing management initiatives.The VWAB made four recommendations, one of which, the creation of an organization to better manage groundwater resources, has been addressed above.
The Water Policy Review Commission concurs with the remaining recommendations of the VWAB regarding water conservation, landscaping and stormwater. Each item is addressed below.
WATER CONSERVATION
According to the St. Johns River Water Management District, by the year 2020 or earlier, our aquifer will not support Volusia County's projected demand for water. The Commission believes that a viable, aggressive and all encompassing public awareness and education program is the key to gaining public acceptance of water conservation programs and/or policies.2) The Commission recommends that the County Council adopt appropriate water conservation regulations countywide and fund an aggressive educational program. This may be accomplished by providing additional funding to the existing Volusian Water Alliance water conservation program or its successor.
LANDSCAPING
The VWAB recommended the building regulations regarding landscaping be reviewed and revised on a countywide basis to provide for elimination of high water usage landscaping in new development as called for in Florida Statutes 125.568. Our Council has the ability, by its Charter, to enact such regulations which will apply to all local governmental jurisdictions countywide.3) The Commission recommends that the County Council adopt countywide building regulations to provide for decreased water use landscaping as provided for in Florida statutes.
STORMWATER
Urban development practices and extensive man made drainage systems in central Volusia have reduced the natural recharge going to the aquifer and increased runoff which wastes this precious resource. The Commission believes redirecting stormwater into recharge areas and modifying drainage structure capacities to provide for flood-event relief only will enhance the water supply.4) The Commission recommends the County establish a stormwater retention and re-hydration program in Volusia County, funded as legally permissible by a countywide stormwater fee, imposed in addition to any other fee, and by any available grants from the St. Johns River Water Management District.
IN CONCLUSION
In March 2001, the VWAB presented four similar recommendations regarding management of the County's water supply to the County Council. More than a year later, no action has been taken.
The Water Policy Review Commission strongly urges the County Council to take action on the above issues, which were recommended by the Volusia Water Policy Advisory Board in its final report. It is imperative to our current and future water supply that Volusia County takes these recommended steps.
The members of the Commission wish to thank the County Council for allowing them to serve and for providing technical and administrative support.
Comments or questions?
E-mail the
Copyright © 2001 Volusia County, Florida.