SUBJECT
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Update on the Upper Peace River Water Supply Project (Information)
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DESCRIPTION
The PRWC Combined Projects Implementation Agreement was executed by the PRWC members in March 2017 for the purpose of implementing approved candidate projects. In 2019 the PRWC and its members amended the Combined Projects Implementation Agreement to include the Peace River Surface Water Supply Project and the PRWC and Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) executed a Cooperative Funding Initiative agreement for $961,100 (District provided 50% funding) to perform a feasibility study of the project. In May of 2022 the PRWC completed a draft report and provided it as a deliverable to the SWFWMD. The report included a conceptual plan for a surface water intake, reservoir, and water treatment facility on the Peace River south of Fort Meade. The projected annual average raw water capacity of the project was estimated at 28 MGD.
In November 2023, the PRWC and District amended the funding agreement to postpone the project until the District completed its reevaluation of the minimum flows for the Upper Peace River. At that time, the District was unwilling to move forward with several project tasks until final revised minimum flows were adopted.
The District continues the process of adopting revised minimum flows for the Upper Peace River and has completed their peer review process to review the technical competence of the proposed revised minimum flows. The PRWC provided technical comments to the proposed minimum flow on April 8, 2026. No changes were made to the proposed minimum flows because of comments submitted by the PRWC.
On August 10, 2026, the PRWC submitted a letter (attached) to the District Governing Board members in advance of their scheduled meeting on August 25, 2026, at which District staff planned for the Board to initiate rulemaking to adopt the revised minimum flows. The PRWC letter highlighted significant concerns, both technical and legal, with the proposed minimum flows. The key issue impacting the PRWC is the District’s proposed revised minimum flows would reduce the long-term average water available from approximately 28 MGD to approximately 17 MGD - a reduction of 39 percent or about 11 MGD for future public supply.
At the Districts Governing Board meeting on August 25, 2026, the PRWC Executive Director highlighted the issues with the revised minimum flow and how it negatively impacts future alternative water supply in the Polk County region. Following discussion, the Governing Board voted unanimously to approve the District staff recommendation to adopt the revised minimum flow and initiate rulemaking. PRWC staff will continue to actively participate and provide input as the District begins the rule-making process.
RECOMMENDATION
This item is provided for the Board’s information and no action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
No current fiscal impact is anticipated with this report.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Eric DeHaven