WATER USAGE AND WATER PRESSURE INFO

 

From: Richard Adams [mailto:radams@ci.palm-coast.fl.us]
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 7:41 AM
To: Paul Zacharias
Subject: Watering restrictions

Dear Mr. Zacharias,

 

Thank you for your efforts to conserve water by adhering to the Palm Coast water restriction ordinance.  However, the ordinance applies only to residents inside the city limits.  During the extreme dry period last year, we had asked Flagler County to consider passing a similar ordinance thereby making twice-weekly watering a County-wide standard.  While the Commission officially recognized the need to conserve and recommended that all county residents comply, they stopped short of making it mandatory.  You are currently restricted only by the (St. Johns River) Water Management District rules, no watering between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

 

The Water Management District is currently in the process of adopting new rules that will most likely limit irrigation to two days per week.  In most cases, turf grasses do fine on one thorough watering per week, about ¾” to 1”.  During extreme dry conditions with well drained soils, it could be necessary to water twice per week to maintain lush foliage; however, the grass will survive the dry period with less.  It is a matter of “training” the grass to develop deep roots with periods of wet and dry conditions.

 

Again thank you and your neighbors for doing your part to conserve this precious resource.  If I can be of further help please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Richard Adams

Utility Director

 

Also see http://sjr.state.fl.us/govboard/index.html where the proposal to be voted on Nov 8, 2005 calls for:

 

The current districtwide rule allows lawn and landscape irrigation only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., with a few exceptions. The proposed rule amendments include the addition of a new permanent districtwide requirement limiting lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than two days per week.

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Adams [mailto:radams@ci.palm-coast.fl.us]
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 2:54 PM
To: Dennis Clark
Subject: RE: Plans to correct low water pressure?

Dear Mr. Clark,

 

During peak flow periods we continue to experience low water pressure in the extreme north east section of our water distribution system.  This is most severe during the early morning hours when irrigation demand increases.  Flow rates on the north end of the Hammock and in the canal area of Palm Coast are extremely high causing extra pressure losses in the transmission lines.  While we would encourage customers to irrigate wisely, we cannot control when irrigation takes place.  It is apparent that nearly everyone irrigates at the same time, in the early hours.  We have several projects underway (in various stages of completion) that are designed to alleviate this situation.

 

First and foremost is a new 16” water main along State Road 100 that will run from Old Kings Road to Colbert Lane and Roberts Road.  When complete, this $ 1.1 million project will complete the loop that will help move water from our Water Treatment Plant Number 2, located south of SR 100, to the north east section of our service area.  Computer models tell us this project will increase pressures by as much as 10 PSI.  While we had anticipated completion of this project by now, we experienced unanticipated unsuitable soil conditions during construction.  This has delayed the project and we now expect completion within about two months.

 

Currently under construction is a 12” water main along Cimmaron Drive.  Because there is a water line crossing the Intracoastal Waterway between the Sanctuary and the Hammock, the addition of a parallel line on Cimmaron Drive is expected to increase pressures in the Hammock area by as much as 4 PSI.  This $ 700,000 project should be complete within six to eight weeks.

 

We also have entered into a Joint Project Agreement with Flagler County to construct a 24” water main across I-95 at the Matanzas Woods Parkway overpass.  Last week we delivered to the County a check for over $ 900,000.00 to fund the construction of that water main.  This will add a 4th crossing of I-95 and since both water treatment facilities are west of the Interstate, the new crossing will have a significant impact on our ability to move water to the Hammock area.

 

In addition, we have issued a $ 500,000 contract to construct booster pumps and valve controls at our elevated tanks.  Equipment is on order and will be installed upon delivery, we’re estimating about two months.  This system improvement will better enable us to fill the storage tanks during off peak periods and regulate flow from the tanks during peak flow periods.

 

Other projects to improve systems pressures are in the design phase, the largest one being our proposed Water Treatment Plant Number 3.  It is estimated that this project will cost nearly $20 million with a completion time projected by mid 2007.  Part of this project will be the completion of a large water main from the new plant to the new Matanzas main which will provide additional hydraulic capacity to the north east sections of our system.

 

While I realize none of these improvements provide immediate relief, we are working as diligently as we can to complete them as soon as possible.

 

I hope this email has provided you with the information you need to properly address your association.  Should you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Sincerely,

Richard Adams

Utility Director