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Canal Recharge Study

 

Announcements, Agendas, and Support Documents

The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of the availability of the preliminary final draft document entitled “Canal Recharge: A Report to the Governor and Legislature,” dated December 2006. The report is required pursuant to Chapter 2004-381, Laws of Florida, to summarize the department’s investigation into “the feasibility of discharging reclaimed water (highly treated wastewater) into canals and the aquifer system as an environmentally acceptable means of augmenting groundwater supplies, enhancing natural systems and conveying reuse water within enclosed conduits within the canal right-of-way in Southeast Florida.” The law requires the department to publish the preliminary report, including draft findings and recommendations, for public comment. Upon closure of the public comment period, the department will provide the final report, including any public comments received, to the Governor, the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
 

Comments may be submitted to Stacey Feken, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3560, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, (850) 245-8421, or by email at Stacey.Feken@dep.state.fl.us.

 

Background

The Florida Legislature has directed the Department of Environmental Protection, in coordination with the South Florida Water Management District, to conduct a study to investigate the feasibility of discharging reclaimed water into canals and the aquifer system as an environmentally acceptable means of augmenting groundwater supplies and enhancing natural systems in the Lower East Coast Water Supply Planning Area. The legislature recognized that this form of reuse might provide substantial benefit, but also that there are water quantity and water quality challenges that must be better understood and resolved.

The legislation directs DEP to conduct the study in consultation with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), southeast Florida utilities, affected local governments, including local governments with principal responsibility for the operation and maintenance of a water control system capable of conveying reclaimed wastewater for reuse, representatives of the environmental and engineering communities, public health professionals, and individuals who have expertise in water quality. DEP intends to use this website to distribute information to stakeholders and provide updates on the status of the study.

February 23, 2005 Stakeholder Workshop

Stakeholder Comments Received in 2005

Links of Interest

If you would like to be added to the Department's mailing list for the study, please send an email indicating your interest to Stacey Feken  of the Water Quality Standards and Special Projects Program.


Water Quality Standards and Special Projects Program
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road - M.S. 3560
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-245-8417
Contact Us

Last updated: November 03, 2008

  2600 Blair Stone Road M.S. 3500   Tallahassee, Florida 32399   850-245-8336 (phone) / 850-245-8356 (fax) 
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