Reclaimed water, flows in; Irrigation water is pumped out; the missing nexus!
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The problem is simple enough. The plan was not properly researched and conceptualized from day one.
The problem is simple enough. The plan was not properly researched and conceptualized from day one.
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It was never a viable plan to keep the lakes up to any particular “standard” level. The Water Company uses the term:
“recharge our lakes”, a very slippery term which does not necessarily mean to completely refill.
It was never a viable plan to keep the lakes up to any particular “standard” level. The Water Company uses the term:
“recharge our lakes”, a very slippery term which does not necessarily mean to completely refill.
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The point being that the pipe that discharges the reclaimed effluent should have been bifurcated; meaning that one leg should have been connected to the pipe that takes water out of the lake for irrigation.
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The other should simply discharge effluent into the lake. No water should be taken out of the lake for irrigation.
The other should simply discharge effluent into the lake. No water should be taken out of the lake for irrigation.
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This arrangement would remove all restrictions on use of that component of the water used exclusively for irrigation; leg one, as that is the deal which the County makes to induce customers to agree to use reclaimed water for irrigation purposes.
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We should seriously investigate a redesign of the system along the lines suggested above and then renegotiate the Bulk Agreement to raise the limit to at least; 1,250,000 gallons per day.
We should seriously investigate a redesign of the system along the lines suggested above and then renegotiate the Bulk Agreement to raise the limit to at least; 1,250,000 gallons per day.
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Please read the following from the Palm Beach County Government site referenced below:
Please read the following from the Palm Beach County Government site referenced below:
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REF:
Palm Beach County is the leading supplier of reclaimed water in Southeast Florida. The Department reclaims approximately one-third of all the wastewater it cleans.
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The highly-treated wastewater effluent is treated, filtered and disinfected at the County's Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility on Hagen Ranch Road in suburban Boynton Beach.
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Reclaimed water must meet stringent state and federal standards, and it is safely used for irrigation throughout the country. In Florida there are more than 400 water recycling projects, making our state a national leader in the use of reclaimed water.
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The treatment process eliminates harmful substances, but leaves traces of nitrogen and phosphorous that act as fertilizers when reclaimed water is applied to lawns and landscapes.
Golf Course and Lawn Irrigation.
Golf Course and Lawn Irrigation.
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Approximately nine million gallons per day of reclaimed water is distributed by Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department to local golf courses and residential lawns for irrigation. The reclaimed water is delivered through a system of distribution pipes that is completely separate from the drinking water distribution system. These pipes are painted purple, which is the color code for reclaimed water.
Approximately nine million gallons per day of reclaimed water is distributed by Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department to local golf courses and residential lawns for irrigation. The reclaimed water is delivered through a system of distribution pipes that is completely separate from the drinking water distribution system. These pipes are painted purple, which is the color code for reclaimed water.
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Constructed Wetlands
Constructed Wetlands
Another one million gallons per day of water from the Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility is sent to the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, a constructed wetland located on Jog Road in suburban Delray Beach.
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The Department has also developed a second constructed wetland, Green Cay Wetlands, that is approximately 100 acres in size, giving the Department the capability to recycle another two to three million gallons per day of the highly-treated wastewater effluent.
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In addition to preserving our fresh water resources, the constructed wetlands create valuable wildlife habitat and offer the public much-needed green space for passive recreation activities like walking, bird watching, and nature photography.
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Benefits of Palm Beach County's Reclaimed Water Program:
Irrigation with reclaimed water is a simple, low-cost, user-friendly way to help conserve our fresh drinking water supplies.
Benefits of Palm Beach County's Reclaimed Water Program:
Irrigation with reclaimed water is a simple, low-cost, user-friendly way to help conserve our fresh drinking water supplies.
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Palm Beach County's Reclaimed Water Program is easy on your wallet, too. There is no connection charge for reclaimed water service, and only a minimal monthly commodity charge is billed to the customer, regardless of the amount of reclaimed water used.
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This is a bargain compared to the cost of using drinking water for landscape irrigation.
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· Customers save money on their water bills because reclaimed water is less expensive that drinking water.
· Customers save money on their water bills because reclaimed water is less expensive that drinking water.
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· Reclaimed water helps lawns and golf courses thrive because it leaves traces of nitrogen and phosphorous that act as fertilizers.
· The use of reclaimed water increases the amount of fresh drinking water available.
· Reclaimed water helps lawns and golf courses thrive because it leaves traces of nitrogen and phosphorous that act as fertilizers.
· The use of reclaimed water increases the amount of fresh drinking water available.
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· Water recycling helps the environment.
· Water recycling helps the environment.
· Reclaimed water is not subject to water restrictions for irrigation.
· Reclaimed water helps to recharge ground water aquifers.
7 comments:
Hi All.
David, please do not forget that there was/are two Grants involved in this undertaking.
We need to take a look at these documents to determine what changes might take place if the process or procedures were changed without approval. In the Grant process it is not unusual for there to be extreme penalties if the agreed rules and regulations are not followed. Read that as a potential return of all funds!
While I agree with you premise we need to be very careful. Don't forget the grant writing process was begun with Kurt and followed through Vivian and our term of office. Pat is probably the only person with detained knowledge of all that transpired.
Hi Bob
Feb 16, 2009 9:50:00 AM,
Yes indeed, this project was all part of a SFWMD budget process and I have all the references as worked thru the SFWMD budget process over the years.
There are hundreds of these projects across the Southern Florida Flood Control District
Clearly this would all have to be revisited to see if the plan is even feasable.
Dave Israel
It is unfortunate that no one from the present UCO has the guts to give their side of the story on this blog or somewhere else like ch 63. No we have to wait a month for the UCO Reporter that maybe will have something about our concerns. Hey UCO, come and join the modern times. Dare to write and answer on this blog or wherever you choose about the concerns of the owners.
Why don't we get the 750,000 gallons a day?
Why do you not meet your responsability of supplying enough water to spray our poor lawn, trees and flowers ar least twice a week?
David, your above piece is excellent as usual and I fully support the purchasing of additional water and the installation of a seperate flow to handle it.
I wish you good luck for the coming election as well as to Bob Marshall. Andre
Amen, Andre.
I called Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department.
They are pumping 1.7 million gallons per day.
UCO's meter shows 5,814,200 gallons used.
Dave said: The point being that the pipe that discharges the reclaimed effluent should have been bifurcated; meaning that one leg should have been connected to the pipe that takes water out of the lake for irrigation.
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The other should simply discharge effluent into the lake. No water should be taken out of the lake for irrigation.
I would like to support some change so that we would wind up with high water levels all year.
What does it take to get this done?
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