TITUSVILLE, Fla., Nov. 2, 2000 (Florida Today)—Titusville's search for a new source of drinking water is narrowing down.
Currently, Titusville gets its water from two active wellfields in the city, although of the 84 original wells, only 32 still are considered reliable water sources.
If crucial decisions are not made soon, Titusville could face a shortage of six million gallons a day by the year 2020, officials said.
To make sure that doesn't happen, the City Council last year commissioned a $247,000 water study to be completed by summer 2001.
"We're in sort of a critical situation right now because we need to get started finding more water," said Titusville Water Resources Director Raynetta Curry Grant.
She said the current study is unique in that it eventually will result in clear direction to city staff as to which water source to develop.
"We don't want this to be just a study that sits on a shelf. That's why we're calling it a 'Future Water Implementation Plan.' The option we end up with next year will be the way we will proceed," Grant said.
The second of three technical reports, to be presented to the City Council at its Nov. 14 meeting, gives details and cost comparisons for two water source options. The third and final report will deal with specific information pertaining to the two water sources.
Water source options, to be detailed at the City Council meeting, include:
—- To continue negotiations with landowners in northwestern Brevard County for easements to pump water from the Florida aquifer and pipe it about 15 miles to Titusville.
—- To develop wells in Mims in conjunction with Brevard County. In addition, city officials are to better manage existing water resources, including recharging existing wellfields with stormwater and reuse water.
"The City Council will not decide anything at that meeting, but we will have more information and cost comparisons on each option," Grant said.
Judging from preliminary results, pumping water from extreme northwestern Brevard is expected to be the easiest and least costly option, Grant said.
"It looks like it would be the best option if we get an agreement (from landowners), but that's a big if," she said.
The city has been given permission to drill test wells on Florida East Coast Railroad right of way in the area in the next two months to determine the amount and quality of the water, Grant said. The wells are expected to be at least 100 feet deep, she said.
"Up there, we're dealing with the Florida aquifer, and not the surface aquifer we have here in Titusville, so it's a different situation," she said.
The council earlier had considered and rejected other water sources, including using brackish water from small lakes in the St. Johns River chain, such as South Lake; and blending fresh ground water with water from the St. Johns River.
Deciding early which water source to develop is critical to meeting future demands because any option will take several years to implement, Grant said.
© 2000 Florida Today via Bell&Howell Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved.
