HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 04_5/12/2021Agenda Item #4.
Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)
STAFF MEMO
Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) -May 12 2021
Staff Contact: Thomas Bradford, EAC Chair Department: Environmental Advisory
Committee
Review of Draft Recommendations to the EAC on the Utilities Element, Sub Element Potable Water, of
the Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the Village Council and Staff
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Backup Memo Utilities Ele Sub Ele Potable Water 051221
Page 19 of 29
Agenda Item #4.
rf 0: Environmental Advisory Committee Members
From: Thomas G. Bradford,, Chair, EAC r4! 7
cc: NA
Date: May 5, 2021
Re: Review of Draft Recommendations to the EAC on the Utilities Element,, Sub
Element Potable Water, of the VOT Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the
Village Council and Staff
VOT Resolution No. 24-19, which created the EAC, requires the EAC "'...to within the bounds of
the village's Comprehensive Development Plan, develop recommendations for goals, objectives
and policies relative to sustaining and improving the environment of the Village of Tequesta. !),) To
this end, the EAC is now reviewing the Utilities Element of the VOT Comprehensive Plan. The
Utilities Element contains four sub elements entitled Sanitary Sewer, Solid Waste, Potable Water
and Stormwater Management. In order to keep the review process manageable only one or two of
the sub elements will be reviewed at each EAC meeting. This memo addresses the Potable Water
Element. Items highlighted in yellow are noted places where an environmental matter is stated in
the Element or sub element.
You are encouraged to review the Element or sub element and propose where you see
environmental issues requiring EAC review potentially overlooked in this memorandum or make
suggestions on how to modify or add to the comments and options provided herein to consider for
recommendation to the Village Council and staff. The link to the VOT Comprehensive Plan is as
follows:
littp://teqLiesta.oi-g/4/Cm 8omunity-Development
Pertinent sections pertaining to environmental issues within the Utilities Element,, Sub Element
Potable Water of the VOT Comprehensive Plan and my comments are as follows:
Page 20 of 29
Agenda Item #4.
UTILITES ELEMENT,, POTABLE WATER SUBELEMENT
Goal 1. 0. 0 To provide a sustainable, saand sufficient potable water supply and distribution
netvvork.
TB Comment: Sustainable water systems should provide adequate water quantity and
appropriate water quality for a given need, without compromising the future ability to provide this
capacity and quality. Water systems in the realm of sustainable development may not literally
include the use of water, but include systems where the use of water has traditionally been required.
Exampl.cs include waterless toilets and waterless car washes, whose use helps to alleviate water
stress and secure a sustainable water supply.
Accessing the sustainability features in water supply, that is to say, the three -fold goals of
economic feasibility, social responsibility and environmental integrity, is linked to the purpose of
water use. Sometimes, these purposes compete when resources are limited; for example, water
needed to meet the demands of an increasingly urban population and those Deeds of rural
agriculture. Water is used (1) for drinking as a survival necessity, (2) in industrial operations
(energy production,, manufacturing of goods, etc.), (3) domestic applications (cooking, cleaning.,
bathing, sanitation), and (4) agriculture. Sustainable water supply is a component of integrated
water resource management, the practice of bringing together multiple stakeholders with various
viewpoints in order to determine how water should best be managed. In order to decide if a water
system is sustainable, various economical, social and ecological considerations must be
considered, including, surface water, groundwater, rainwater harvesting, reclaimed water,
desalinization, bottled water, potable water, water for industry, water in agriculture, and domestic
water uses. I All of these factors come into play when considering whether one's locality has a
sustainable potable water supply system. Many of the factors on the list are in play in Tequesta
today.
EAC Proposed options:
Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are:
Be cognizant of the concept of integrated resource management and the multiple factors
affecting potable water and water resource sustainability.
Policy 1.1. 5 -The Village shall continue to protect existing wellfields,, surface or subsurface storage
facilities', control structures, water treatment plants and transmission infrastructure from increased
coastal flooding, considering sea level rise, saltwater intrusion., and other potential future impacts,
' The International Water Association (IWA) Publishing, Sustainability in Water Supply. For more
information on this subject, please see this link: https-://www.iwapublishing.com/news/sustainability-
water-supply
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Agenda Item #4.
and plan for infrastructure replacement and relocation as needed to maintain the Village's potable
water LOS&
TGB Comment: The best way to minimize future sea level rise is to cut our fossil fuel use
and reduce carbon emissions. Even though some sea level rise is inevitable, we have time
to reduce how much will occur. In 2019, a study projected that in low emission scenario, sea level
will rise 30 cent' I I I 1 1 centimeters by 2050 and 69 centimeters by 2 100, relative to the level in 2000. In high
emission scenario, it will be 34 cm by 2050 and I I I cm by 2100. There is the probability that the
rise will be beyond 2 meters by 2 100 in the high emission scenario, which will cause displacement
of 187 rnillion people. 2 Fortunately, in the 2021 Florida Legislative Session the Senate
Environment and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a bill (SB 1954) that
includes spending up to $ 10 0 million a year on projects to address flooding and sea -level rise and
creating a grant program for local governments. Under this grant program., the Department of
Environmental Protection will provide grants to local governments to cover the cost of community
resilience vulnerabil,
esi ience planning, nduing cti Lty assessments, and developing plans and policies to
allow communities to prepare for the threat from flooding and from sea level rise.
EAC Proposed Options: Options 3 to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
area.
1) Cut our fossil fuel use via electricity purchased from FPL and reduce carbon emissions.
The VT Water Utility Water Production annual budget for utility services for
2020/202 1 is $425,150, the overwhelming portion of which for purchase of electricity.
2) Improve energy efficiency and optimization of operations - Water utilities are one of
the major consumers of electricity in the United States. With future electricity demand
forecasted to grow, localized energy shortages may be experienced. Energy efficiency
measures will save in energy costs and make utilities less vulnerable to electricity shortfalls
due to high demand or service disruptions from natural disasters. The $425,150
3) Finance and facilitate systems to recycle water - Recycling greywater frees up more
finished water for other uses, expanding supply and decreasing the need to discharge into
receiving waters. Receiving water quality limitations may increase due to more frequent
droughts. Therefore., to limit wastewater discharges, use of reclaimed water in homes and
businesses should be encouraged. Tequesta could purchase IQ water from the LRECD to
be fed to VOT drainage retention ponds during dry periods to feed the Surficial Aquifer
and keep salt water at bay.
2 L. Bamber, Jonathan; Oppenheimer, Michael; E. Kopp, Robert; P. Aspinall, Willy; M. Cooke, Roger (May 2019). "tee
sheet contributions to future sea -level rise from Stf LICtured expert j udgment.". Proceedings qfthe National Academy cif
Sciences. 116 (23): 11195-11200.
3 Options listed for VOT Water System Sea Level Rise and Saltwater Intrusion mitigation have been sourced from
the United States Environmental Protection Agency website section pertaining to Climate Impacts on Water Utilities
accessible at this link: hqps://www.epa.gov/arc-x/climate-ii-npacts-water-utilities#sealevel
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Agenda Item #4.
4) Relocate facilities to higher elevations - Relocating utility infrastructure, such as
treatment plants and pump stations, to higher elevations Would reduce risks from coastal
flooding and exposure as a result of coastal erosion or wetland loss.
5) Conduct sea -level rise and storm surge modeling — This is similar to what was suggested
for communications with the LRECD in the sanitary sewer sub -element. Modeling sea -
level rise and storm surge dynamics will better inform the placement and protection of
critical infrastructure. Generic models have been developed to consider subsidence, global
sea -level rise and storm surge effects on inundation, including National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) SLOSH (Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from
Hurricanes) Model and The Nature Conservancy's Coastal Resilience Tool, amongst
others.
6) Model and monitor groundwater conditions — This is critical for Tequesta as a lame
percentage of its raw water supply can come from the Surficial Aquifer which is directly
negatively affected by sea level rise. According to the SFWMD',, Teguesta is permitted for
2.73 mg from the Surficial Aquifer and 3.60 mgd from the Floridan A Apifer. Up to 43%
of Tequesta's water supply can come from the Surficial. Aquifer. If more raw water has to
come from the deeper Floridan Aquifer, which is high in mineral content and must be
treated usinf4 enerf4y intensive reverse osmosis', the price of potable water could rise
dramatically. Understanding and modeling groundwater conditions will inform aquifer
management and projected water quantity and quality changes. Monitoring data for aquifer
water level, changes in chemistry and detection of saltwater intrusion can be incorporated
into models to predict future supply. Climate change may lead to diminished groundwater
recharge in some areas because of reduced precipitation and decreased runoff.
7) Study response of nearby wetlands to storm surge events - Coastal wetlands act as
buffers to storm surge. Protecting and understanding the ability of existing wetlands to
provide protection for coastal infrastructure in the future is important considering projected
sea -level rise and possible changes in storm severity.
8) Develop coastal restoration plans - Coastal restoration plans may protect water utility
infrastructure from damaging storm surge by increasing protective habitat of coastal
ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands. Restoration plans should consider the
impacts of sea -level rise and development on future ecosystem distribution. Successful
strategies may also consider rolling easements and other measures identified by EPA's
Climate Ready Estuaries program.
9), Integrate climate -related risks into capital improvement plans - Plans to build or
expand infrastructure should consider the vulnerability of the proposed locations to inland
flooding, sca-level rise,, storm surge and other impacts associated with climate change.
Saltwater intrusion is potentially such a big problem for Tequesta's water service area that
options are being listed here for Village officials to contemplate for inclusion into water system
planning now. Saltwater intrusion options include:
0 Diversify options for water supply and expand current sources - Diversifying sources
helps to reduce the risk that water supply will fall below water demand. Examples of
I SFWMD 2018 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Update, Table 8-5, page 212.
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Agenda Item #4.
diversified source water portfolios include using a varying mix of surface water and
groundwater, employing desalination when the need arises and establishing water trading
with other utilities in times of water shortages or service disruption.
2) Implement saltwater intrusion barriers and aquifer recharge - As sea level rises,
saltwater may intrude into coastal aquifers, resulting in substantially higher treatment costs.
The injection of fresh water into aquifers can help to act as a baiTier, while intrusion
recliarges groundwater resources.
3) Increase treatment capabilities - Existing water treatment systems may be inadequate to
process water of significantly reduced quality. Significant improvement to existing
treatment processes or implementation of additional treatment technologies may be
necessary to ensure that quality of water supply continues to meet standards as climate
change impacts source or receiving water quality.
4) Model and monitor groundwater conditions - Understanding and modeling groundwater
conditions will info n-n aquifer management and projected water quantity and quality
changes. Monitoring data for aquifer water level, changes in chemistry and detection of
saltwater intrusion can be incorporated into models to predict future SLIPply. Climate
change may lead to diminished groundwater recharge in some areas becaLISC of reduced
precipitation and decreased runoff.
5) Increase treatment capabilities - Existing water treatment systems may be inadequate to
process water of significantly reduced quality. Significant improvement to existing
treatment processes or implementation of additional treatment technologies may be
necessary to ensure that quality of water supply continues to meet standards as climate
change impacts source or receiving water quality.
Policy 1.1. 6 - The Village shall consider identifying water infrastructure at risk from sea level rise
projections and other related impacts and update this assessment every 5 years.
TGB Comment: We have recommended this in item 5 above on page .The Comprehensive Plan
was adopted in 2017, 4 years ago. It is time for the Village to consider identifying water
infrastructure at risk from sea level rise. This is Tequesta"s most valuable asset. The question is,
how much does a sea level rise infrastructure risk assessment cost? The anticipated Florida grant
program should pay for the cost and the work likely will be comprehensive and not just limited to
'I't 'frastucture.-r water uh 1 y 1n
EAR' Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are: See item 5 above on page 3.
Objective: 1.2.0 - Environmental impacts of growth in developing areas should not result in the
degradation of water resources and water treatment systems and prevent irreversible damage to the
ecological balance of environmental resources.
TGB Comment: The environmental impact of economic growth includes the increased
consumption of non-renewable resources, higher levels of pollution, global warming and the
-potential loss of environmental habitats. However, not all forms of economic growth cause
damage to the environment. Humans impact the physical environment in many ways:
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Agenda Item #4.
overpopulation,, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Changes like
these have triggered Climate change, soil erosion, poor air quality, and undrinkable water.
EAC Proposed Options: See comments for related Comprehensive Plan policies listed below for
Policy 1.2. 1.
Policy 1.2.1 - Village land development regulations should provide for the protection and
availability of water resources.
TGB Comment: Yes, but what about wells and water resources located outside the Village
corporate limits? Roofs, pavement, and other hard surfaces that generate high runoff amounts are
often referred to as impervious areas. Impervious areas include both buildings (such as houses,
factofies, and stores) and transport -related areas (such as roads, driveways, and parking lots). The
area occupied by both is increasing, but transport -related areas are increasing at a faster rate.
Transport -related areas now often comprise more than half the impervious area in residential and
commercial areas. The sharp rise over the last 20 years in vehicle ownership and miles travelled,
both total and on a per capita basis, have caused planners to increase the size of the transport
con-1ponent. This increase usually affects water resources. Nonpoint source pollution is currently
the major water quality problem in the U.S. - and nonpoint source pollution is directly related to
land use. Common nonpoint source pollutants in urban areas are sediment, pathogens, nutrients,
oxygen -demanding substances, heavy metals, oil and other petroleum products. Nonpoint source
pollutants are deposited on the land through normal application of fertilizer, pesticides,
atmospheric deposition; poor disposal practices; automobile emissions; and litter. In urban areas,
these pollutants are usually deposited on impervious surfaces such as parking lots and roads.
Impervious surfaces that are connected to streams through a pipe (typically a storm sewer) more
directly affect water quality than do pervious areas, even if equivalent amounts of a pollutant are
present. This is because filtration through soil, which is completely absent in sewered areas, is an
important factor in reducing many pollutants. How much impervious area is too much? Many
people have suggested that water quality deterioration begins when 10% to 20% of the watershed
area is impervious.
EEC Proposed Options: Options to consider lor recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are:
Strategies such as the following can minimize the effects of development on water quality of
ground water and surface waters:
Minimize impervious areas.
o Adjust stormwater utility assessment rates to penalize excessive impervious
surfaces to raise funds to mitigate the deleterious effect of impervious surface
runoff.
o Mandate or allow permeable alternatives to side step higher stormwater rates for
excessive impervious surfaces) to pavement such as porous pavement or other
conservation design techniques.
Slow ston-nwater that comes from the impervious areas.
on
Page 25 of 29
Agenda Item #4.
o Detention and/or retention ponds are favorites in Florida.
o Bloswales are an important option that can be used along roads and parking lots to
also slow -release storinwater and filter it.
• Reduce pollutant sources on all surfaces.
0 Inforin and educate the public continuously on the negative effects of such
pollutant sources.
• Protect critical areas such as buffer areas around streams.
o Require buffer areas around surface waters for adjacent redeveloped property and
for all new development.
• Plan development on a watershed basis.
• Develop plans to monitor and have legal proactive input on development outside of
Tequesta's corporate limits to protect water resources utilized by the Tequesta Water
Utility external to the Village.
Policy.- 1.2.2 - Future wells should be located where the potential for saltwater intrusion into the
surficial aquifer and existing well fields in periods of drought is minimized.
TGB Comment: Proposed utility owned wells are permitted by the SFWMD. Tequesta is not
likely to secure any new surf aquifer wells, except to replace existing wells, in order to
minimize salt water intrusion and ensure these water resources remain viable for other needs. At
any rate., if Tequesta did secure an additional permit for a well tapping the Surficial. Aquifer
SFWMD would ensure it was in a location to avoid or minimize salt water intrusion. This issue
is and has been on the radar of the SFW-N4D for many years.
EAC Proposed Options.0
Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are: None. None are needed for this item.
Policy.- 1.2.3 - The Village shall require site plans which incorporate innovative urban,,
architectural, and/or engineering design of impervious areas (e.g. parking lots) to maximize the
retention of rainfall M* these areas in a manner that increases groundwater recharge and reduces
stormwater runoff.
TGB Comment: This, innovative parking lot design to maximize rainfall retention, is more
common than one would think. A typical 3-acre surface parking lot will create 89,000 gallons of
stormwater after a one -Inch rainstorm. The polluted r-unoff generally contains high levels of oil
and grease, sediment., salt, heavy metals and bacteria.
See proposed options below.
EAC Proposed options.
Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are:
See this link for some basic infori-nation used by the City of Winter Garden, FL. Focus on
items c, d, e, and f-
https:Hllbrary.m-Linicode.coiii/fl/winte arden/codes/code—of ordinances?nodeld=PTI IC
OOR CH106STM'A S106-7STMARE
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Agenda Item #4.
• In Philadelphia if parking is provided in a surface parking lot and the applicant provides
more than 20 spaces beyond the minimum off-street parking required by the Zoning
Code, all surface spaces beyond the minimum required shall be surfaced with. pervious
paving materials:
hftps://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadeIpLia/latest/philadelphia pa/0-0-0-210004
• An overview of the pervious pavement concept: https-://www.flowstobay.oriz/wp-
content/u.p loads/ legacy media/chapter- 6-specific-treatment-measures-pervious-
pavement.pdf
Assessing Street and Parking Design Standards to Reduce Excess Impervious Cover in
New Hampshire and Massachusetts:
hqps://www3.cpA.gov/replionI/npdcs/stoi-mwater/assets/T--dfs/lpqperviousAssessmen
Green Building Alliance overview on the permeable paving concept. htt2s://www.f4o-
gba.org/resources/`green-building-methods/perinea �e-pyemen.ts
Objective.- 1.3.0 - Continue a program for the conservation of potable water resources within the
Village which includes the utilization of available non -potable water for purposes other than
human consumption when neither the health of the population nor the environment will be
adversely affected.
TGB Comment: This program, while important, is controlled by the LRECD and is a permit
requirement from the SFWMD for the local golf courses that use IQ water.
EAR Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are:
If IQ water is available from LRECD, the Village could consider buying IQ water for
discharge into water retention ponds to recharge the Surficial Aquifer during dry times
and drought. This would also help stave off salt water intrusion during such times.
Policy.- 1.3.1 - In an effort to conserve the use of water in irrigation, the Village"s land
development codes and ordinances will continue supporting provisions for the use of native
vegetation using xeriscape concepts and the Florida Friendly Landscaping provisions.
T Comment: This has been done and updated.
EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are: None needed as of this writing. However, the Village should do more than "support"
provisions for use of native vegetation., xeriscape and FFL provisions. The Village should
require" these options to be used and complied with at the time of permitting new construction.
Policy: 1.3.3 - The Village shall continue to actively enforce all existing potable water planning
policies, as well as continue to research and develop additional planning policies for the
conservation of potable water resources within the Village's service area.
E0111
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Agenda Item #4.
TGB Comment: The inability of water resource systems to meet the needs for water is often a
reflection of tailures in planning, management, and decision -making. Planning, developing, and
managing water resources to ensure adequate, inexpensive, and sustainable supplies and qualities
of water for humans is paramount for the Tequesta Water Utility. Tequesta's water service area
growth is not anticipated to grow by much over the next 10 years. But Tequesta has much work
to do in regard to asbestos pipe removal and staying on top of its potable water 5 -year CIP plans
by keeping them up to date and timely effectuated as planned.
FAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are :
Tequesta should keep abreast of all pertinent SFD plarming documents such as the
2018 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Update found here:
https://www.sfwmd.p 8 lec ,ov/s'ites/default/files/documents/201 — plan planning_ doc.- f
* The SFD 2018 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Appendices found here:
https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018-lec plan appendices
• Ensure that adequate finding is provided each year for scheduled renewal and replacement
of all water assets and forI 5 -year capital improvement programs.
Policy:1.4.3 - The Village shall continue to: coordinate with Palm Beach County in the
implementation of the Wellfield Protection Ordinance, and; Will regulate land use activities within
the travel time contours of its wellfields, as they are delineated on the Future Land Use Map.
TGB Comment: This is a good thing, but if wells are in Martin County similar steps must be
taken there too.
EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are:
Comply with this policy and let decision makers, the Village Council, know if wells exist
in Martin County and require similar protections as in Palm Beach County.
N.- 1.6.0 - Seek to achieve an average potable water consumptive use of 175 gallons per
capita per day (defined as the total amount of water used by all consumers in the Village divided
by the Village"s population through the implementation of voluntary programs for existing
development and mandatory programs for new development and redevelopment.
TGB Comment: This is a lofty goal when you consider that the TOT Water Utility current
average per capita use rate (PCUR) is 309 gallons per day. See Table B-2 on page B-1 I of the
aforementioned SFWMD 2018 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Appendices. This is the
third highest rate in Palm Beach County. The only likely way to attain this goal is to continue
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Agenda Item #4.
With unstainable water rate increases for consumption and usage tiers over time in the name of
"conservation," which has the potential to destroy the operation, as a valuable asset.
EAC Proposed Options: options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are:
• Incentivize property owners to convert to well water for irrigation to drop the potable water
average PCUR.
• Work with the LRECD to sell IQ water to property owners for select subdivisions.
• Impose stricter standards for domestic water fixtures.
• Enforce water irrigation laws day and night with proactive code enforcement.
Policy: 1. 6. 1 - The Village Water Utilities Department will have a knowledgeable employee who
Will be available for consultations on water conservation strategies that may be used in site
%1
development plans and in residential and non-residential buildings.
TGB Comment: When? They have this today with their new Utility Director. He is a smart .an.
They need to let it be known for this to work, but the man is busy.
EAC Proposed Options. Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are:
* Train someone to fill this role in the Department, besides the inherent knowledge the Utility
Director has.
* Make it well known via the website,, counter documents, plumbing permit applications., and
water bill messages that this service exists and the public may access it free of charge.
Policy.- 1.6.3 - Implement the following regulations which shall apply to new development and
redevelop inent:
• The use of xeriscape and native vegetation on a portion of development sites.
• The use of soil tensiometers or similar control mechanisms in all irrigation systems.
• The use of in -home water saving plumbing devices such as low volume showerheads and
toilets.
TGB Comment: I thought this was already in effect. The last two items were when I was Village
Manager in the prior century.
E C Proposed options.
Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff
are:
0 Implement this policy and enforce it.
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