The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday renewed and modified a water use permit (WUP) for the City of Wauchula, which is located in Hardee County.
The modified permit increases the permitted quantities. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 1,110,000 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 1,236,500 gpd, which is an increase of 126,500 gpd.
The increase in quantity is based on an estimated increase in population.
As part of the permit, the city must install and maintain flow meters and submit monthly readings. The city must also investigate alternative water supplies and submit an alternative water supply plan.
Another requirement of the permit is for the city to report on the effectiveness of its 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 permit expires Oct. 30, 2013.