BCC Minutes 03/03/1994 W (Drinking Water)Naples, Florida, March 3, 1994
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Commissioners in
and for the County of Collier, and also acting as the Board of Zoning
Appeals and as the governing board(s) of such special districts as
have been created accordinG to law and having conducted business
herein, met on this date at 6:00 P.M. in WORKSFOP SESSION in Building
"F" of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the
following members present:
(Absent)
(Absent)
CHAIRMAN: Timothy J. Constantine
VICE-CHAIRMAN: Betrye J. Matthews
John C. Norris
Michael J. Volpe
Burr L. Saunders
ALSO PRESENT: Marilyn Fernley, Recording Secretary; William
~argett, Assistant County Manager; Ken Cuyler, County Attorney; and
B~ll Lorenz, Environmental Services Administrator.
March 3, 1994
D~IIIEIN(i MATEI~ - ~ ~CH ~LL ~ ~D ~ ~ WILL IT CO~ ~
Legal notice having been published in the Fort Myers News-Press on
February 24, 1994, and in the Naples Daily News on February 25, 1994,
as evidenced by Affidavits of Publication filed with the Clerk, a
public workshop was opened.
Coulseioner Saunders stated that public comments will take place
at the end of the workshop.
Commissioner Saunders explained that this is the second ]n a
series of environmental workshops presented by the Board of County
Commissioners indicating Its dedication to protecting the environment.
He stated that this workshop is dedicated to drinking water to assure
that potable water supplies are adequate for both the current and
future citizens of Collier County.
Dr. John Fitch, President of The Conservancy, stated that a hydro-
logic system works through the atmosphere, evaporation from the land
surface, moisture from plants, evaporation from estuaries and the
ocean, moves up into clouds, condensation occurs and then precipita-
tion. Dr. Fitch stated that the recycling systera of water occurs bet-
ween the surface of the earth and the atmosphere. Dr. Fitch explained
that 95 percent of water is not usable because of salt water and fresh
water is actually locked up in ice, noting that less than one percent
(1%) of the water in the world is available for drinking water.
Dr. Fitch stated that 100 years ago in Collier County a different
hydrologic system existed because canals and roads did not. Dr. Fitch
explained that the water flowed down from the Cocohatches and the
Corkscrew areas with movement north/south because of a ridge located
along the Pine Ridge area and flowed down into what is now Rookery Bay
and into the Ten Thousand Islands area. Dr. Fitch pointed out that
there was a very slow surface flow of water throughout the system
which took a couple months for water to travel from the Corkscrew area
to the Ten Thousand Islands and the wet season extended much longer
because the flow of water was so slow.
0:3
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March 3, 1994
Dr. Fitch explained that modifications to the water system
included construction of roads in 1910, especially the Tamiami Trail
because in order to build the road, a canal had to be excavated along
side and the canal served as a east/west barrier to the flow of water.
Dr. Fitch stated that in the 1930's and 1940's extensive logging
took place that impacted the Cypress forest and logging roads were
constructed which restricted the flow of water. Dr. Fitch explained
that modifications that had a large impact were canals, including the
Faka Union Canal.
Dr. Fitch stated that in the lg60's and through the 1970's, the
Golden Gate system was installed which consisted of eight (8) major
canals, including the main Golden Gate canal system. Dr. Fitch
explained that this changed the whole direction of water within the
area; instead of flowing down into the Ten Thousand Islands area it
flowed into the Gordon River and into Naples Bay. Dr. Fitch pointed
out that the Faka Union Canal, along with other canals which were
installed to drain the area, also had a tremendous impact on water
distribution.
Dr. Fitch mentioned that several patterns changes have occurred
from the modifications that have taken place: the flow of water, par-
ticularly tn relation to the Golden Gate area; run off speed from the
surface to the Gulf has increased; and the hydro period has been
greatly decreased in many areas.
Dr. Fitch explained that the Golden Gate canal in 1970 was
discharging 12.5 times the amount of fresh water used by the City of
Naples and that presently, during the summer months, the system fun-
nels 550 million gallons per day into Naples Bay and only 40 million
gallons of water per day is utilized by Collier County at the height
of the tourist season. Dr. Fitch stated that the flow of fresh water
into the Gulf has increased and the hydro period is being greatly
decreased. Dr. Fitch pointed out that the water table has been
lowered two to four feet (2'-4') in the west Big Cypress area and
lower in the Corkscrew Sanctuary area.
Page 3
March 3, 1994
Dr. Fitch explained that the Faka Union Bay has been impacted by
the sudden and rapid movement of fresh water into the area causing it
to be less productive because of lowered salinity, and in contrast,
the Fakahatchee Bay is far more productive. lle stated that there is a
decline in the amount of potable water that is available during the
dry season, noting that the fresh water that is available is polluted
and/or salt water intrusion is occurring.
Dr. Fitch pointed out that there are several different directions
in which to proceed to address the problem including water conser-
vation, restoration of natural flow patterns which might lead to an
increase in retention time, thus increasing the hydro period that we
actually have fresh water for use.
Mike Slayton, Big Cypress Basin Administrator, stated that he will
explain how the hydrologic systems function today in addition to the
policies and program in place to protect the system.
Mr. Slayton explained that the historic natural storage and
drainage systems drain out to the coast at five (5) main points:
Cocohatchee Canal which during the June to October summer months has
an average of 42 mill/on gallons per day (MGD} discharging out through
Wiggins Pass; Golden Gate Main Canal which discharges approximately
550 MGD into the Gordon River and Nap/es Bay; Henderson Creek which
discharges 39 MGD into Rookery Bay; Faka Union Canal discharges 450
MGD; and the S.R. 29 Canal discharges 83 MGD.
Mr. Slayton stated that all the major drinking water wellfields
are located near the major canal systems and the average pumpage from
the wellfields is 18.80 MGD for Collier County; 16.46 MGD for the
Gity of Naples which has two (2) wellfields; Marco Island has a water
supply source near S.R. 951 and U.S. 41 as well as a reverse osmosis
facility on the Island and produces 7.00 MGD; Immokalee produces
approximately 2.30 MGD from the three (3) wellfields located there;
the private drainage district located at the Port of the Island
produces 0.04 MGD; and Everglades City produces 0.18 MGD.
Mr. Slayton explained that additional water storage and recharge
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March 3, 1994
needs to be pursued at four [4) levels: increased storage within the
existing canal network balanced with maintaining the Level of Service
for Flood Protection; increased storage in large public owned wetland
systems (due to the geology of this area, there is no major water
storage gain in above ground reservoirs); Aquifer Storage and Recovery
(ASR); expanded wastewater reuse which reduces the dry season pumpage
for irrigation needs and increases dry season recharge to fight salt-
water intrusion.
Mr. Slayton stated that major capital project Improvements that
have been implemented and continue to be planned are: all the major
structures and systems of the Golden Gate Canals have been increased
for storage capacity; backpumping operations on the Airport Road and
I-7§ canals which lifts water and stores it uphill behind water
control structures parallel to the coast to combat saltwater intru-
sion; a series of three (3) structures ]s underway on the Cocohatchee
Canal (the Immokalee Canal) to combat saltwater intrusion to address
the water resource needs in North Naples; future structures for the
Corkscrew Canal because it is over-draining the bottom end of the Bird
Rookery Swamp and wasting the water storage c~apabt]lty and discharging
it further downstream into Naples Bay; structures are being placed in
the 95! Canal; and work continues with a priwmte interest for the top
end of the Henderson Creek Canal to gain additional storage.
Mr. Slayton explained that significant progress has been made
towards blending water storage and natural resource protection with
the CREW project. He stated that over 18,O00 acres of land have been
acquired to date within this headwaters of we:~tern Collier County and
appraisals and negotiations are ongoing in an additional 5,000 acres
within Collier County. Mr. Slayton pointed out that Corkscrew
Is & large wetland system to the west and north of Immokalee
and north of Golden Gate Estates.
Mr. Slayton stated that wastewater reuse Is beth0 succe{~sful]y
~mplemented by both the City of Naples and Collier County and
suggested that both the City and County look .at an interconnect system
Marc)) 3, 1994
for better distribution of available reuse irrigation water, besides
the obvious benefits of meeting water demands, it would also provide
both parties with alternatives to storage and disposal logistics.
Mr. Slayton stated that programs and policies in place to preserve
and protect these systems are based at the local, Collier Co~Jnty, and
regional level. Mr. Slayton pointed out that in November 1991, the
Collier County Commissioners adopted a Groundwater Protection
Ordinance that addressed all public drinking water wellfields in
Collier County. He stated that the purpose of the Ordinance is to
re~ulate activities that could be adverse to the ability of the
wellfield to produce water supply of acceptable quality and .it sets
forth four (4) risk management zones that become increasingly restric-
tive.
Hr. Slayton pointed out that at the regional level, water restric-
tions for resource protection are set by the South Florida Water
Management D~strlct and implemented by local governments through ordi-
nances. Ne explained that all local governments are also requested to
implement water conservation programs that include year round daytime
Irrigation bans from 10:O0 AM to 4:00 PM, leak detection programs
within the water supply network to reduce unaccounted for losses, rate
structures which Increase costs for use above basic demand needs,
xer~cscape landscaping codes to reduce demand water for irrigation,
low-flow plumbing fixtures for new construction and public education
Mr. Slayton stated that the regional ]eve] water use rules and
re~ulations are handled by the South Florida Water Management District
for all of the public drinking water supply sources being discussed
this evening. He explained that these rules and regulations were
developed to provide safe drinking water at all times throughout the
State of Florlda. Mr. Slayton stated that the process was delegated
to the South Florida Water Management District through the Department
of Environmental Protection from the Florida Legislature.
Mr. Slayton requested that everyone keep In mind as alternatives
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March 3, 1994
are discussed that there is no single fail-safe solution and the
County needs to avail itself on a variety of sources, methods and
technologies to come to grips with the water supply demands of the
future.
David Land of Collier Enterprises stated that he will focus on
future demand, location and type of demand and implications of the
demand from an environmental standpoint. Mr. Land explained that he
has divided Collier County into six (6) geographical areas for use in
his presentation and they are: Coastal Urban, the urban designated
area of Collier County that is found in the Comprehensive Plan which
includes Urban Estates, Golden Gate Estates but does not include the
Rural Estates; Marco Island; Rural South County, Belle Meade down to
Everglades City; Immmokalee; Rural North County where agriculture is
located with the exception of a portion of Belle Meade and Urban Area;
and Rural Estates/Corkscrew area.
Mr. Land pointed out on his map the locations of wellfields in
Collier County.
Mr. Land stated that in 1995, according to the University of
Florida, there will be approximately 209,899 people in Collier County.
Mr. Land explained that in 1993 it was estimated there were 170,000
people and it will probably be 1998 before the 210,000 number is
reached. Mr. Land pointed out that in the year 2020 the University of
Florida estimates that there will be 592,800 people in Collier County
which is aggressive and will probably not be reached until 2030 to
2040.
Mr. Land stated that the Coastal Urban area figures indicate that
in 2020 there will be 430,838 people which is the build-out estimate
the County Staff has predicted; the Marco Island figure of 43,662
people in 2020 is high and according to Staff will be closer to 26,000
at build-out. Mr. Land explained that the figure at build-out in
Immokalee is closer to 160,0OO people rather than the 59,726 estimated
by the University of Florida.
Mr. Land stated that at full build-out, including all six
Page 7
March 3, 1994
areas he has designated, there will be approximately 750,000 people in
Collier County, without any expansion of the urban designated area or
incre'ases in densities in rural areas where there is one (1} unit per
five (5) acres.
Mr. Land stated that no expansion is expected in the vegetables
and/or other category for agricultural acreage between 1991/93 and
the year 2020. He predicted that approximately 5,000 acres ~n the
Coastal area will be lost to development but the acreage for agri-
culture will increase in the interior.
Mr. Land explained that the 61,000 acres estimated in the year
2020 for citrus/agricultural acreage may not be reached because of
world supplies and NAFTA. He stated that presently there is between
35,000 and 39,O00 acres in Collier County and the estimated increase
represents one of the highest growth rates for agricultural acreage in
the United States.
Mr. Land stated that the per capita water usage per day for Marco
Island is 517 gallons per day (GPD); Naples is 348 GPD; North Naples
is 324 GPD; Collier County (other) ~s 227 GPD; Immokalee is 164 GPD;
Everglades City is 156 GPD; and Golden Gate City is 1i7 GPD. Mr. Land
stated that water usage is based on three things: income, the higher
average income the higher of water usage because of swimming pools,
bigger yards, more bathrooms, etc.; density, high density such as con-
dominiums use less water for pools, lawns, etc. than when spread out
into single family homes; and residential areas have lower numbers per
person than a complete community including commercial, industrial and
residential.
Mr. Land stated that approximately 1/3 of the water pumped in
Collier County is for urban type uses and 2/3 is for agricultural
uses but by the year 2020 or coastal build-out, the percentages will
be to 50/50 with the biggest increase in the 25 year period being
public water supplies and residential self supply which will increase
by 34 billion gallons per year or a 30 percent increase.
Mr. Land explained that there is a move in a~;riculture from the
Page 8
March 3, 1994
open seepage irrigation systems to a drip system or semi-closed system
and will reflect a water savings of 33 percent between 1995 and 2020.
He stated that a major difference in agricultural water usage versus
non-agricultural use is that any excess water returns to the aquifers
from which it is withdrawn.
Mr. Land stated that presently the Coastal Urban Area uses
approximately 28 percent (28%) of the available water, the Rural North
Agricultural Area uses about 60 percent (60%), Marco Island uses three
percent (3%), Immokalee uses two percent (2%}, Rural Estates uses
three percent (3%), and the South County uses four percent (4%). He
explained that the total usage is 111 mill/on gallons per year but
that will change over the next 25 years, or at Coastal Urban build-
out, to a usage of approximately 37 percent in the Coastal Urban Area
and the agricultural area to the north usage will decline from 60 per-
cent to 47 percent. Mr. Land explained that the total usage at build-
out will be approximately 164 million gallons pe~r year or a 50 percent
increase.
Mr. Land stated that 1.75 to 2.15 trillion g:~llons of rain falls
on Collier County yearly but only five to six pe:~cent (5%-6%) is being
pumped. Mr. Land stated that in the year 2020 when the estimated
600,000 people live in Collier County, seven to Ten percent (7%-10%)
will be pumped which indicates that there should be enough water today
as well as in the future for all usages.
Mr. Land pointed out that the 550 mill~on ga]llons of water per day
during the summer months that drains out the Golden Gate Canal System
into the Bay, is four (4) times more water than necessary to expand
pumpage over the next 25 to 35 years.
Mr. Land stated that Nap]es, Coastal Urban a~'ea and Marco Island
import water from locations outside their geogra[,hlc boundaries and
the major export areas are the Rural Estates/Corkscrew area or the
Belle Meade area.
Mr. Land pointed out that future wate£ problems will arise in the
~oastal Urban area as it will be required to increase its extractions
Page 9
March 3, 1994
by nearly 300 percent from the Rural Estates/Corkscrew area or some
new location not yet defined and Marco Island will need to Increase
by 100 to 200 percent. Mr. Land explained that the targeted export
areas are going to become paranoid about people utilizing their water
because it has happened between Counties within the State of Florida;
Pinel]as County utilized Pasco County interior for lnstal]lng wells
and Brevard County utilized Osceola County. Mr. Land stated that
Sarasota accomplished their needs within the County by gotng Into the
Interlot and purchasing acreage for installing wells, therefore elJmt-
natlng a confllct between surface owners and wells pumping water from
underneath.
Mr, Land stated that two (2) things that Collter County should be
concerned about In regard to increased pumpage are saltwater lntru-
slon, which is more prevalent In the Coastal area, and wetland damage
because lowering the water table will have a negative affect.
Mr. Land pointed out that the acceptable chloride level In
drinking water is 250 milligrams per liter and 500 milligrams per
liter for agricultural use although It varies considerably between
crops. He explained that the Coastal area already has a problem wlth
ch]orlde but the interior agrlcu]tural areas, Go]den Gate Estates and
Corkscrew areas, do not have a problem.
Mr. Land stated that it is estimated that through the year 2010,
29,000 acres of wetlands are at risk for long term damage from current
pumpage levels.
Tom Taylor of Hole, Montes & Associates, Inc., stated that Hole,
Montes is an engineering firm that has been involved in water resour-
ces and supplles for a long time and for the past ten (10) years In
Collier County.
Mr. Taylor pointed out that Collier County has a tremendous amount
of water but it will have a shortage of the ]eas~ expensive or fresh
waters If proactive approaches are not instigated. He stated that one
problem is that as individuals we are not very efficient but that is
not likely to change because of our Irrigation (lawns) demands.
Page 10
March 3, 1994
Mr. Taylor stated that the peak months for ~ater demand are
January and February which exceeds 16 million gallons per day and only
includes Collier County not the City of Naples, Marco Island, etc.
explained that the annual average demand is 13.5 millton gallons per
day and the lowest demand is during the summer when the population
decreases and no additional irrigation Is required for turf grasses
and ornamental plantings because of the daily rainfall. Mr. Taylor
pointed out that the problem is not having a water supply but having
the right amount of water In the right place at the right time.
Mr. Taylor stated that lime softening, membrane softening and
reverse osmosis are the three widely used and accepted treatment pro-
cess alternatives.
Mr. Taylor explained that the most popular treatment process is
lime softening and is used to treat fresh water that Js high tn
calcium and other minerals and removes much of the m~neral content to
obtain a "softened" water. He pointed out that the lime treatment is
typically the least expensive to construct, operate and maintain.
Mr. Taylor stated that the membrane soften.[ng process has gained
significant popularity over the last ten [10) years and treats water
by pushing it through a membrane under moderate pressure wherein the
membranes act as a filter and remove most, but not all, of the
mineral content to achieve a "softened" water. Mr. Taylor explained
that this process does not remove salt and therefore must use a fresh
water supply similar to the lime softening process. He pointed out
that the advantage of th~s process over lime softening is its ability
to remove additional dissolved organic matter but the cost to
construct, operate and maintain is greater.
Mr. Taylor explained that the third process available is the
reverse osmosis treatment process and utilizes a membrane to filter
the water and removes all mineral content on a molecular lew~l. He
stated that the membranes require a high pressure pumping system to
remove the minerals, including salt, but the cost to construct,
operate and maintain this type of treatment process is greater than
Page
March 3, 1994
either of the other technologies. He stated that the process is
capable of treating water of varying salt concentrations extending
from brackish groundwater to seawater but the greater the salt con-
tent, the greater the cost to construct, operate and maintain the
treatment system.
Mr. Taylor explained that the capital cost for a lime softening
treatment plant is approximately $18 million ~{ith an operating and
maintenance cost of $0.58 per 1,000 gallons which is about the cost
for treatment at the Collier County South Was'~ewater Treatment
facility. He stated that the membrane softening process is ~bout 25
to 30 percent more expensive from a capital and operations/maintenance
standpoint and reverse osmosis is about 44 percent higher than the
llme softening treatment process and 47 percent high for operations
and maintenance.
Mr. Taylor stated that the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)
technology is growing in popularity. He explained that this is not a
treatment process but serves as a means to maximize capacity of treat-
ment facilities. Mr. Taylor stated that during low demand periods,
excess plant capacity can treat water which i:$ then pumped into a
semi-confined aquifer for storage and later during high demand periods
the stored water is pumped out of the aquifer and into the water
system. He pointed out that the ASR system effectively minimizes or
reduces the needed treatment capacity by averaging the peaks and
valley of water demand throughout the year. Mr. Taylor stated that
the ASR can be incorporated into the potable water supply as well as
~rr~gation.
Mr. Taylor stated that Collier County is making tremendous strides
in effluent use, currently serving 15 golf courses, and the City of
Naples is serving all the golf courses within the City limits. Mr.
Taylor explained that dual systems ar~ being installed even in resi-
dences and the water from canals can be utilized for irrigation.
Glenn Simpson, Environmental Services Manager and Vice President
of Wilkison & Associates, stated that water conservation seems a silly
Page 12
March 3, 1994
subject to discuss in a County that gets over 60 inches of rain fall a
year but the issue ts low cost water and not water availability.
Mr. Simpson stated that due to the way that development has been
approached ~n Collier County, it is expected that the water resources
to follow political boundaries such as County l~nes and projects have
developed tn the middle of where the natural systems used to flow. He
explained that it was not understood how the natural systems worked
and how they fed the water supply and how ~ affected the groundwater.
Mr. Simpson explained that canals were excavated in order to drain the
land and make the area more desirable for placement of houses but the
water that would normally recharge into the aquifers ~n the area was
removed. He stated that the Golden Gate Estates area is one of the
largest and most affectire drainage programs ~n the State of Florida
and probably ~n the United States and is one of the largest removals
of recharge for the natural aquifer system.
Mr. Simpson stated that a wellf~eld is placed where there is the
largest opportunity for a water source and would, therefore, be placed
~n an area where there is no drainage so that every drop would be
available to recharge and be withdrawn from that well. He explained
that the government mandates that Collier County's wetland systems be
protected, we the water cannot be withdrawn.
Mr. S~mpson stated that acquisition of land ~n the CREW area is a
very ~mportant piece of the solution, noting that once the land is
purchased and the management structures are in place, it g~ves Collier
County the capability of holding much of the water that ks now flowing
~nto the canals and taken out to the Gulf.
Mr. Simpson stated that the Big Cypress Basin Board and its mana-
gement of the canals is another very important p~ece of the puzzle
because with a few modifications, they will be able to capture the
water where it is now flowing out to the Gulf and move it into the
areas adjacent to the wellfields.
Mr. Simpson explained that there needs re, be more water flow
around the wellfleld areas and the least expensive way of
14
Page 13
March 3, 1994
accomplishing that is by maintaining the natura! flow connections that
still exist. He stated that In Collier County there are only two (2)
left: Camp Keais system between ImmoAalee and Naples, flowing south of
Lake Trafford and historically, waters that dElvelop in the Corkscrew
area would flow into the Fakahatchee system; and the ORaloacoochee.
Mr. Simpson stated that the Camp KeaJs system still has some natural
movement to it and the benefit it will provide is the water recharges
the aquifers in the area that they would move the water to it and
flows underground basically to the southwest ~hich allows that water
to get into the areas where the wellfields are and provides an oppor-
tunity for Its use for urban development.
Mr. Simpson stated that an integrated approached would include
some public works programs. He explained that it must be understood
exactly how a project wI]! affect the natural water flow and the
Impact that development will have on that system. He pointed out if
the water is held back from a development tt may be starving the
system downstream.
Mr. Simpson stated that publicly funded programs for research are
Important for providing alternatives; aquifer storage a{~d recovery is
not as cheap as putting In a well and drawing the water out but con-
sidering the alternative, it Is one of the best methods available.
Mr. Simpson explained that it is important to bring together the water
management district, County, and utllities to find solutions. He
explained that regulations on land use must be established and goals
set to preserve the natural water flow in order to utilize the best
benefit Collier County can provide for its citizens - solving the
~roblem of the future water supply.
Co~isstoner Saunders stated that the purpose of a worAshop like
this is ~o ass/st the Board of County Commissioners in developing a
strategy to deal with the Issue of preserving the natural water flow
areas. Commissioner Saunders questioned Mr. Simpson on how the Board
of County Commissioners can move forward to guarantee the protection
of tho~e areas7
Page 14
March 3, 1994
Mr. Simpson stated that the NRPA program and identifying the two
(2) remaining natural flow areas as NRPA's is the first step and once
recognizing the importance of the area, the appropriate mechanism to
use to protect those values must be determined. Mr. Simpson explained
that he is not addressing any of the issues such as wetlands or habi-
tat for animals but strictly from a water standpoint, it is important
that the areas be maintained. He pointed out that the current adja-
cent land uses are not having a significant negative impact but if a
regional drainage program is established or a high intensity water
withdrawal and exporting from that region should occur, it would have
a very significant impact. Mr. Simpson stated that if the flow way ts
impaired, where a canal or dike is excavated and impedes the flow, it
would have devastating affects down stream. Mr. Simpson recommended
that EPTAB be utilized to advise the Board on the appropriate steps to
be taken and those steps should be formalized into a regulation to be
applied to those specific areas.
Bill Barton, President of Wilson, Miller, Barton & Peek, stated
that the Board of County Commissioners should be commended for holding
a workshop on this subject. He indicated that the first step to a
solution to any problem is the recognition of what the public is
aiming toward.
Mr. Barton explained that the solution to the challenge of pro-
riding economical water supply to the residents of Collier County in
the long term future is one that requires a multiple solution approach
since there is not a single solution. He stated that a long range
plan of objectives must be created.
Mr. Barton stated that the dual water system has a price tag of
approximately $40 million but most projects like this should be con-
sidered in small bites and not all at once. He remarked that a plan
can be set up and established over a number of years where the dual
system can be implemented as it is needed.
Mr. Barton stated that he will cover the acquisition of critical
land area, which can be accomplished by fee simp]e, acquisition of
Page 15
March 3, 1994
development rights, etc., for the purpose of preserving it for water
recharge and conservation.
Mr. Barton explained that Collier County has a unique topography
in that it is flat and as a consequence, the availability of water
that can be mined or utilized by residents for domestic or agri-
cultural uses is limited to a very thin lens unless undesired levels
of degradation are allowed into the natural environment which is unac-
ceptable. Mr. Barton stated that caution must be utilized for pre-
serving this natural resource because if it is impounded within
natural areas and too much is saved, the water table is raised to an
unacceptable level during the rainy season which will harm the
environment, and if the water table is lowered too much during the dry
season, this too will reek havoc on the natural environment.
Mr. Barton stated that rather extensive land areas must be
acquired in geographically good areas such as CREW Trust which is a
very important area to the long range water supply of this community.
He explained that a large storage area can be created to recapture the
annual replenishment of the natural water supply.
Mr. Barton stated that Collier County must be proactive in
attacking this issue and not simply set aside recharge areas and
expect that it will meet the County's long term demands because it
will not. He explained that Collier County must be prepared for the
drought years because the thin lens of the water table will disappear
if not addressed. Mr. Barton explained that Aquifer Storage and
Recovery needs to be investigated along with surface storage areas and
reservoirs. Mr. Barton stated that one (1) square mile of land with
two (2) feet of surface soils removed and the area lined, with a berm
or dike built surrounding the square mile, 12 ve~ttcal feet of water
can be stored which will provide 27 days of lO0 Dercent of the demands
of Collier County at its build-out.
Mr. Barton stated that one of the most important conservation
measures available to Collier County is capturing the water run off
durin~ the rainy season. He explained that lO0 percent effluent uti-
17
Page
March 3, 1994
lization will also assist in conserving this va]uable natural
resource.
Mr. Barton stated that Collier County must think in terms of
making double use of the water it has and the dual water system is an
excellent way to accomplish that. He explained that dual systems are
being installed in new developing areas and Marco Island is a prime
candidate for the dual system. Mr. Barton pointed out that irrigation
methodology needs to be improved and the agriculture irrigation pro-
cesses expanded ~nto the Urban Area which will result in dramatic
~ncreases in the amount of water conserved.
Mr. Barton pointed out that the W~]son, Miller, Barton & Peek
office complex sits on 8.6 acres of land and xerlcscape was utilized,
noting that less than 15 percent of the vegetated property is irri-
Gated because it was left natural and where improvements were made,
natural vegetation was utilized.
Tap~ #2
Mr. Barton stated that low volume plumbing fixtures and leakage
tests will also conserve water. He reported that this may represent a
small savings but it costs virtually nothing and should be utilized in
new home constructlon and renovations.
Mr. Barton explained that the problem is not that Collier County
is running out of water but it is meeting the challenge to f~nd eco-
nomical water to serve the residents of this community in the future.
He stated that this challenge can be met without the expense of the
degradation of the environment if some of the suggestions, as pre-
sented, are implemented.
In response to Commissioner Saunders, Mr. Barton stated that the
mechanism to be utilized to solve the water problem for Collier County
ks for the Board of County Commissioners to take a lead for economical
water because there will be competition from the City of Naples, Marco
Island, the unfncorporated areas of the County and agricultural
~nterests for cheap water. He explained that the County cannot simply
look at pieces of t~:a solution but rather a broad spectrum and begin
Page 17
March 3, 1994
to Implement a number of different solutions at the same time. Mr.
Barton pointed out that the task has already begun by purchasing pro-
perty and by addressing ways to conserve the water in the canal
systems. He stated that the County must recognize and be prepared for
the growth that is going to occur.
Commissioner Saunders stated that this workshop was not called
because the County thinks it has a crisis now but because criticism is
often heard that government is reactive not proactive, noting that the
water problem is on the horizon but must be addressed now.
Commissioner Volpe stated that the speakers have commented on the
flow of sheet water, how fast it is moving and how much is being lost
into the Vanderbilt Lagoon, Naples Bay and ultimately into the Gulf of
Mexico. Commissioner Volpe explained that constituents are constantly
complaining about flooding in their backyards and those concerns must
be addressed. He stated that some type of improvement for stormwater
drainage Is necessary which presumably will increase the flow of water
in drainage basins. Commissioner Volpe questioned where a stormwater
drainage program fits into the scope of this issue7
Mr. Barton stated that a very large percentage of the areas
experiencing drainage problems are because of local conditions within
the drainage basin and not because of exterior stormwater going
through the adjacent canals. He explained that as the canal systems
are Improved, run off in the area will improve but only under flood
conditions. Mr. 3arton explained that something is not redesigned to
drop the water table in a given area but rather to knock the peak off
the storm.
Mr. Barton stated that water can be conserved by pumping it from
the canals either Into a aquifer storage area or reservoir upstream
which will help the downstream flooding problem.
Commissioner Norris stated that the common theme among the
spsakers tonight is to increase the raw water supply tn a cost effec-
tive manner. Me explained that the recharge of the aquifer can be
accomplished by decreasing the extraction and it is also desirable to
Page 18
March 3, 1994
decrease the fresh water outfall Into the Bay and estuaries because It
is harmful to the natural balance of those systems. Commissioner
Norris s~ated that capturing the water being logit through the canal
systems must be addressed by redtrecting the canal flows into a system
of reservo]rs that can be controlled and It would be a system that
addresses all the points at once in a cost effective manner.
Commissioner Norris stated that the aquifer system is still
questionable at this point but there is the expertise to know what
surface water containment will accomplish and redirecttng this water
to the eastern part of the County will create an opportunity to uti-
lize the water that is flowing out into the Gulf through the five (5)
canal systems in a cost effective manner.
The following people spoke on thls item.
Nettie Phillips Ginger Hlnchcliff
Irene Hatring Franklin Adams
Commissioner Saunders stated that the written questions from the
audience will be responded to and supplied to the public as soon as
possible.
Commissioner Volpe thanked the people in the audience for their
interest and attendance. Commissioner Volpe stated that the q'uestions
of what are the str.mtegies, coordination of efforts and the rela-
tionship between Collier County, the City of Naples and other entities
involved in water resource management are important issues and steps
are being taken to answer these questions. He pointed out that
workshops like this are important in obtaining the answers.
Commissioner Saunders stated that the problem is to find ways to
ensure that Collier County has adequate, good and inexpensive water
supplies for current and future residents and the Board of County
Commissioners needs to take the lead and begin the process toward this
assurance.
There being no further business for the Good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by Order of the Chair - Time: 8:00 P.M.
Page 19