In 1987, the Florida Legislature created the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act to protect, restore, and maintain Florida’s highly threatened surface water bodies. The Weeki Wachee River is a designated SWIM Priority Water Body.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has proposed a water reuse project for Hernando Oaks Golf Course “in efforts to promote protection from degradation and contamination of Florida’s springs and in particular the Weeki Wachee springs system.” FDEP is funding the water reuse project with an estimated cost of $490,000.
The City of Brooksville will provide reclaimed water to the golf course from its wastewater treatment facility. In order to do so, approximately 7,500 feet of reuse piping will have to be installed. The city will be able to provide the golf course up to 225,000 gpd of reclaimed water to replace the 170,000 gpd of currently permitted groundwater.
Brooksville has an existing 12 inch reclaimed water line that extends south on the west side of Broad Street / US 41, then crosses the highway and terminates at Southern Hills Plantation. The public works department proposes to extend the reclaimed water line by connecting an 8 inch line along the west side of Broad Street for approximately 2600 feet. The water line will proceed west approximately 4900 feet along and existing utility easement into Hernando Oaks Golf Course and terminate at an existing surface water pond.
Using reclaimed water to irrigate the Hernando Oaks Golf Course will reduce costs of pumping water from the Floridan Aquifer and conserve water therein.
Other benefits include reduction in the need for fertilizers, since nitrogen and phosphorus are retained in reclaimed water. The reduction of fertilizer use will also save money, and reduce runoff that can make its way into the aquifer.
It also provides an effective means for the city to reduce the amount of reclaimed water from its treatment facility.
The FDEP approval was expected July 1st, but there has been no decision as of the July 6th hearing. Mr. Radacky expressed his optimism that the FDEP will approve the funding.
When the reclaimed water project is complete and placed in service, the City will provide reclaimed water at a rate of $0.31 per 1,000 gallons for (5) years then increasing according to the Consumer Price Index. This is a negotiated rate between the City and Heartwood 91-3, LLC, Owner of the Hernando Oaks Development. The terms of the Agreement is for a maximum of 225,000 gallons per day and may be unavailable depending on quality/quantity or other issues.
Julie Maglio contributed to this report.