Introduction
Sarasota County's potable water demands are met by a variety of public and private potable water systems. The water supply demands of the
unincorporated portion of Sarasota County are met by the Sarasota County Utilities System, the Englewood Water District, independent water
treatment and supply systems, and individual wells. Municipal systems serve the cities of Sarasota, Venice and North Port, and the Town of
Longboat Key. Through efforts to regionalize systems and diversify sources, many of these systems are interconnected, or have interconnection plans, to further strengthen the ability of water purveyors within Sarasota County to maintain a high level of service to residents in the event of droughts or other potential interruptions to water service.
The County began to play a role in the regulation and planning of water facilities in 1956 and 1957, when the Board of County Commissioners established amendments to subdivision regulations which, in part, required all new development to include provisions for central public water and sewer service. In the absence of a central water supply system, developers
During the late 1960's and early 1970's, several factors heightened the County's awareness of the disadvantages of decentralized water systems. A growth rate of about 5,000 new residents per year, growing public concerns about the availability of future water supplies, and a severe drought during the winter of 1970-71 provided the impetus for the County to develop its first public water system under the general administrative auspices of the Sarasota County Utilities System. The critical demand for water carried the County through the planning stages in 1972-73, leading to construction in 1974-75 of the system which served the northwestern segment of the unincorporated portion of Sarasota County. The original and primary water supply source for the Sarasota County Utility District (SUD) system was from Manatee County. This was augmented with surplus treated water from the City of Sarasota and the development of the University Parkway
wellfield.
The 1981 adoption of the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan provided further policy direction for the County to develop a centralized, County-owned water supply. One of the prime areas identified as a potential water source was the 33,000 acre Ringling-MacArthur Reserve. This reserve was later renamed the T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve in honor of Sarasota County Commissioner, T. Mabry Carlton, Jr., a staunch supporter of an independent Sarasota County potable water supply source. In
November 1982, Sarasota County voters approved a $30 million bond issue referendum to fund the public acquisition of the property. Bonds were issued in December 1982. Construction of the water treatment plant and wellfield began in 1993. The system became operational in early 1995.
Beginning in 1988, the County started to develop centralized water and sewer utility systems by placing certain franchise systems into public ownership. Through an active acquisition program, all of the large independent water treatment plants have been brought into public
ownership, resulting in a unified distribution system for central water. All of the current franchise water systems are able to purchase water from the Sarasota County Utilities System under bulk water agreements. As of 2013, only one franchise utility with a bulk water agreement remains.
Legislation
Under Public Law 93-523, the "Safe Drinking Water Act," the federal government established water quality standards for the protection of water for public use, including operating standards and quality controls for public water supply systems. This law directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish minimum drinking water standards which are divided into "primary" standards, or those required for public health, and
"secondary" standards, those recommended for aesthetic qualities.
In accordance with federal requirements, the Florida Legislature adopted Chapter 403.850, Florida Statutes, the "Florida Safe Drinking Water Act."
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the state agency responsible for implementing this act and has established rules classifying and regulating public water systems under Chapter 62-550, Florida Administrative Code. The primary and secondary standards of the
"Safe Drinking Water Act" are mandatory in the State of Florida.
Drinking water quality standards in compliance with federal and state legislation are enforced and records are maintained by the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County. The County is responsible for enforcement of FDEP rules and county ordinance concerning the pollution of groundwater or drinking water supplies, resulting from improper
operation of wastewater treatment facilities or problems resulting from commercial or residential uses.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has adopted rules under Chapter 40D, Florida Administrative Code, and is responsible for the management of water resources within a sixteen-county region to protect the supply necessary to meet existing and future demands.
Additional regulations relating to the operation of community and non- community public water supply systems are set forth within Chapter 64 E-8, Florida Administrative Code.
Chapter 62-521, Florida Administrative Code, provides criteria for
delineating wellhead protection areas; restrictions, including prohibition and regulation of certain substances, activities and facilities in wellhead
protection areas; and, establishes permitting requirements, compliance review inspections and enforcement procedures.
The 2002 Legislature expanded the local government comprehensive plan requirements to strengthen coordination of water supply planning and local land use planning. The most significant new requirement is a 10-year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan, coordinated with the SWFWMD Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP), which addresses the water supply facilities necessary to serve existing development and new growth for which the County is responsible. A key component of this legislation is the
requirement that a local government must incorporate by reference this 10-year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan into its comprehensive plan, and update this work plan at a minimum every 5 years or within 18 months after the governing board of a water management district approves an updated regional water supply plan. In accordance with FS 163, comprehensive plan policy ICE 1.3.9 provides an acknowledgment of the districts regional water supply plan and its policies.