HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 01 18 Letter to SJRWMD RE: Consumptive Use Permit 105763-1 Progress of Free-Flowing Artesian Feature Feasibility Evaluation CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES
1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434
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1959
WINTER SPRINGS,FLORIDA 32708
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www.winterspringsfl.org
January 18, 2023
Douglas Hearn,Senior Hydrologist PG/PE
Division of Regulatory Services
St.Johns River Water Management District
RE: Consumptive Use Permit Number 105763-1
Progress of Free-flowing Artesian Feature Feasibility Evaluation
Dear Mr. Hearn,
This letter serves to update you on the progress of the Lake Jesup Surface Water Augmentation Plant(Plant)and related
free-flowing artesian feature feasibility evaluations, and to request St.Johns River Water Management District(District)
support to implement regional solutions which meet the collective goals of the District,the City of Winter Springs(City),
and the communities surrounding us.
The City has retained Carollo Engineers to conduct evaluations of the Plant and of the artesian feature, which is located on
property owned by the Parkstone Homeowners Association (HOA). Significant progress has been made on the Plant
evaluation including a system assessment and inspection,along with initial recommendations for operational
improvements. However,the system testing evaluation and final recommendations cannot be completed at this time due
to the flood conditions caused by recent hurricanes Ian and Nicole. The electrical systems were damaged by flooding at
Lake Jesup and currently remain inoperable.
The City also continues to reach out to Parkstone HOA to gain access to the HOA's property for purposes of testing and
evaluating the artesian feature at the City's expense. However,to this point,the Parkstone HOA has denied the City of
access to the property to conduct the testing and evaluation. Therefore,the City has been unable to collaborate with the
HOA to collect the information necessary to fully assess the feature and advise the District. The City's intent has been to
help determine if the feature is a natural fracture or a potential artesian well, measure flow and potentially determine the
aquifer source. It has been our intent to find potential solutions which benefit all parties involved. If access were granted,
the evaluation report will be provided to the Parkstone HOA, District and any other interested party upon completion.
As this process has progressed,the City also completed its 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan update,consistent
with Chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes. Submitted to the District in May of 2022,this document acknowledges those
constraints expected to be placed upon Central Florida utilities which will limit upper Floridan allocations to demonstrated
2025 demands. The City's plan reported the following findings:
• Existing potable supplies are adequate through 2025.
• Regulations may impact future supplies.
• Reclaimed water expansions are critical to offsetting future needs.
• The City is already meeting the 115 gallon per capita day consumption threshold required by 2043.
Completion of this Work Plan update and the process to report on the City's plans to meet demands beyond 2025 brought
renewed emphasis on the need for coordinated, regional solutions to overcome the challenges all utilities in Central Florida
face. As noted in the Work Plan update, reclaimed water is critical to the City's ability to meet future demands. However,
other solutions may exist that benefit more than just the City. Regardless of the outcome of the Plant and artesian feature
evaluations,the City desires to be a partner in regional solutions.
Without site access for a technical evaluation,the City is unable to meet its obligations to the District and to comply with
this permit. As such,the City requests District cooperation in determining the best use of the artesian feature,and in
quantifying the potential benefits to nearby water resources. We understand that the HOA is encouraging access of other
parties,yet they remain opposed to access from the City of Winter Springs to complete the planned evaluation, even
though this community is within the City limits. Regardless of who conducts the technical evaluation,this information
should be available to the community,the District and surrounding utilities,such that a regional solution can be formulated
which maximizes benefits to the environment.As you know,this water ultimately belongs to the state, not a select few.
We look forward to continuing to work with our community and as a partner to the District to make responsible water
supply decisions. Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Shawn B yle
City ana r
Cc:Anthony Garganese
Edward de la Parte,Jr.
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