The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday modified a water use permit (WUP) for the City of Wildwood in Sumter County.
The modified permit increases the permitted quantities. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 2,137,200 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 4,980,000 gpd, which is an increase of 2,842,800 gpd.
The increase in quantity is based on an estimated increase in population and commercial development. One of the significant commercial use customers is the federal prison at Coleman.
As part of the permit, the city must investigate alternative water supplies and submit an alternative water supply plan. The city must also develop long-term monitoring plans to ensure that no unacceptable adverse impacts occur to water resources.
Another requirement of the permit is for the city to develop a water conservation rate structure. A water-conserving rate structure has tiered water rates which increase with water use, meaning high volume water users pay more per gallon.
The city must also submit required reports, which include monthly meter readings, wellfield water levels and water quality information.
The permit expires July 29, 2013.