January 14, 2009
Ruling paves way for St. Johns water withdrawal permit
By DINAH VOYLES PULVER
Environment Writer
A state administrative hearing judge has ruled Seminole County may pull water from the St. Johns River to provide additional fresh water to its residents and supplement its reclaimed-water supply.
The proposal is considered the first step in a plan that would eventually bring a plant to turn river water into drinking water for cities and counties throughout Central Florida, including DeLand and Volusia County.
St. Johns River Water Management District staff members proposed approval of the county's permit in March, but the Riverkeeper -- a river advocacy group -- the city of Jacksonville and St. Johns County filed a request for an administrative hearing to block the district's approval.
The Riverkeeper issued a statement Tuesday saying it's "deeply disappointed" in the judge's decision.
The state judge presided over a nearly two-week-long hearing last fall and ruled Monday the district can approve the permit for a 5.5 million-gallon-per-day plant on the river. The plant would be built at the county's Yankee Lake wastewater treatment plant, near DeBary.
Opponents fear the request will open a floodgate of requests to use the St. Johns that could harm water quality in the river. They say Seminole County should, instead, require its residents to reduce their water use and lawn irrigation. Per capita water use in the northern part of the county is among the highest in the state.
The district plans to consider the permit at its March 10 meeting.
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