The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved a consolidated water use permit that will increase The Villages’ water supply from 14.7 million gallons per day (mgd) to 23.7 mgd of ground and surface water to meet its future needs.
The increase in the annual average quantities is due to projected increases in the residential population, commercial development and recreational facilities, such as golf courses, within The Villages.
The permit requires The Villages to develop 7 mgd of alternative water supplies to reduce groundwater withdrawals. Additionally, the permit requires The Villages to conduct extensive data collection and monitoring, as well as to develop and implement an Impact Management Plan to ensure that no adverse impacts will occur to the area’s water resources.
All reclaimed water generated at The Villages will be used for golf course and common-area irrigation. It is estimated that by 2013 a total of 8.6 mgd of reclaimed water will be generated and used for irrigation. Approximately 1.2 mgd will be provided by the City of Wildwood and the remaining 7.4 mgd will be generated within The Villages.
The consolidated permit combines and modifies three existing water use permits with two new water use applications to create one water use permit. The permit will expire on March 27, 2013.