Tampa Bay Region - Southwest Florida Water Management District
Tampa Bay Region - Southwest Florida Water Management District
Tampa Bay Region - Southwest Florida Water Management District
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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT<br />
FY2014 COOPERATIVE FUNDING INITIATIVE APPLICATION FORM<br />
Project Name<br />
Pasco County - Crews Lake Natural Systems Restoration<br />
Project Number N560<br />
Cooperator<br />
Pasco County<br />
Department<br />
Utilities<br />
Contact Person Pamela Wright<br />
Address<br />
7536 State Street<br />
City Sate Zip New Port Richey, FL 34654<br />
Phone #<br />
727-847-8145 ext7825<br />
Email<br />
pwright@pascocountyfl.net<br />
Project Type:<br />
X <strong>Water</strong> Supply X <strong>Water</strong> Quality Flood Protection X Natural Systems<br />
Strategic Initiatives:<br />
X <strong>Water</strong> Quality Maintenance and Improvement <strong>Water</strong> Quality Monitoring<br />
X Alternative <strong>Water</strong> Supply Conservation<br />
X Reclaimed <strong>Water</strong> <strong>Region</strong>al <strong>Water</strong> Supply Planning<br />
Emergency Flood Response Floodplain <strong>Management</strong><br />
Minimum Flows and Level Establishment and Monitoring Minimum Flows and Levels Recovery<br />
X Natural Systems Conservation and Restoration Natural Systems Identification and Monitoring<br />
Indicate All Counties to Benefit From Project:<br />
Charlotte Citrus Desoto Hardee Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Lake<br />
Levy Manatee Marion X Pasco Pinellas Sarasota Sumter Polk<br />
Project Description:<br />
Pasco County Utilities wishes to continue the investigation of using the wet-weather flow of reclaimed water to improve water levels<br />
in Crews Lake. Crews Lake has seen a historic drop in water levels over the past decade resulting from ground water overpumping.<br />
Crews Lake is so impaired due to depressed water levels that it can no longer be considered a lake. In fact, Crews Lake<br />
doesn’t fit the definition of a lake by either <strong>Florida</strong>’s Department of Environmental Protection or the <strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>Water</strong><br />
<strong>Management</strong> <strong>District</strong>. Initial feasibility studies have brought to light several different permitting paths. Variations of this approach<br />
have been employed before in natural and constructed wetland systems throughout <strong>Florida</strong>, leading to improved wildlife usage,<br />
restored water levels, and natural treatment of effluent. This project would support the rehydration and other enhancements for a<br />
portion of Crews Lake while enabling Pasco County to better manage its reclaimed water supply. There are a myriad of benefits to<br />
Crews Lake Wilderness Park likely with fruition of the project including: rehydration of a portion of the dry lake, improved regulatory<br />
compliance reclaimed wet-weather flows, improved ecological productivity of the area, improved wildlife habitat, educational<br />
opportunities, enhanced recreational experience and incremental restoration of local groundwater tables.<br />
The total project cost is estimated to be $6,535,000. The County is anticipating expending $535,000 during FY 2014; 50 percent<br />
($267,500) of which is being requested from the <strong>District</strong>. The County will request additional funding assistance in future years.<br />
Describe your organizations efforts in developing, implementing and enforcing water conservation and flood protection<br />
ordinances.<br />
Pasco County adopted Ordinance 01-08 requiring the following: one day/week irrigation restrictions for potable water; curtailed use<br />
of potable water for irrigation when rain has occurred within 24 hours; scheduled availability and restricted use of reclaimed water<br />
irrigation to distribute limited supply to as many customers as possible; washing of non-business, personal vehicles only using low<br />
volume methods and over non-impervious surfaces; prohibiting aesthetic uses of water unless such use also provides a necessary<br />
aeration or water quality benefit; and the use of reclaimed water for road construction activities when available. Enforcement of this<br />
ordinance is by designated County personnel and law enforcement officers. During <strong>Water</strong> Year 2012, 100% of Pasco County<br />
Utilities' wastewater was reused. The bulk rate charged for the use of reclaimed water is $0.47 per 1,000 gallons (normal rate),<br />
$0.21 per 1,000 gallons (surplus rate), and a flat rate of $10.26 per month residential irrigation. Pasco County's potable water rates<br />
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