The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board approved an agreement Tuesday with the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (PR/MRWSA) to study the feasibility of three potential alternative water supplies, which include the Dona Bay, Flatford Swamp/Upper Myakka River and Shell Creek systems.
The PR/MRWSA serves Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties as well as the City of North Port, and is responsible for developing new water supply sources and facilities to meet the needs of its customers. The addition of these three potential alternative water supply sources has the potential to meet the region’s water supply needs through 2025.
The Regional Resource Development Feasibility Study will allow the PR/MRWSA to move forward developing its next water supply sources through its Regional Resource Development Program. The goal of the program is to maximize surface water use, reduce reliance on ground water in the Southern Water Use Caution Area, and optimize its financial investments through a regional approach to water supply planning.
The total estimated cost of the project is $2.5 million, with the District funding $1,125,000. Of the $1,125,000, the Governing Board is expected to contribute $625,000, the Manasota Basin Board will contribute $456,250 (contingent on approval at the Basin Board’s next meeting) and the Peace River Basin Board will contribute $168,750.
By request of the PR/MRWSA, the Governing Board approved an out-of-cycle transfer of funds Tuesday in the amount of $125,000 from the General Fund’s Water Supply and Resource Development Reserve so the authority can begin the feasibility study. The remainder of the funds needed for the project will be funded in fiscal year 2008 (FY2008.)
Upon completion of the feasibility study and analysis, the PR/MRWSA will move forward with the construction of any feasible sources. The first new regional water supply project is anticipated to be operational by 2013.