The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Monday renewed and modified a water use permit (WUP) for the Town of Lake Placid, which is located in Highlands County.
The modified permit increases the permitted quantities. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 753,600 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 1,192,000 gpd, which is an increase of 438,400 gpd.
The increase in quantity is based on an estimated increase in population.
The town’s annual growth during the past ten years has been approximately 0.12 percent. However, the growth rate during the last five years has been 5.5 percent. The town asked for an increase in quantities based on 20.4 percent annual growth. As part of the permit, the town must submit a report in 2011 to validate its actual population growth.
The permit requires the town to investigate the feasibility of using reclaimed water or other alternative water supplies.
Another requirement of the permit is for the town 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 Nov. 26, 2013.