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Agenda Item: 9(d) |
Prepared By: Jeffrey E. Poteet, General Manager |
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Business: Presentation |
Department: Water and Sewer |
Subject:
Title
Presentation - Water and Sewer Capacity Analysis Report - Jeffrey E. Poteet, General Manager, Water & Sewer Department
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BACKGROUND:
The 2024 Capacity Analysis Report (CAR) evaluates Marco Island’s ability to meet current and future potable water demands through 2040. Prepared in compliance with state regulations, the report assesses source water, treatment facilities, storage, and pumping capacity to ensure safe and reliable service for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Marco Island’s water system is supported by two treatment plants: the North Water Treatment Plant (NWTP), permitted at 6.67 million gallons per day (MGD), and the South Water Treatment Plant (SWTP), permitted at 6.0 MGD, for a combined capacity of 12.67 MGD. Together, they are backed by 12 million gallons of storage and robust pumping infrastructure that, following upgrades in 2025, will be sufficient to meet long-term pressure and distribution needs.
However, demand is rising faster than treatment capacity. Average daily use grew from 7.24 MGD in 2014 to 9.92 MGD in 2024. In that year, demand exceeded 12 MGD on 13 days, including two days above the system’s total permitted limit. This trend has continued into 2025. By 2040, demand is projected to reach 10.41 MGD on an average day and 13.67 MGD on the peak day, exceeding current system capacity.
Source water constraints add to the challenge. The NWTP’s supply from Marco Lakes and Aquifer Storage and Recovery is sufficient, but the SWTP is severely limited by water use permit restrictions and reverse osmosis recovery rates, producing only 2.7 MGD on average. Current supply capacity (7.8 MGD) already falls short of today’s demand.
To address these gaps, the report recommends a phased strategy. In the near term, the City should seek to re-rate the NWTP to 8.5 MGD, pursue increased water allocations with the South Florida Water Management District, and continue rehabilitation at the SWTP. In the medium term, investments should focus on expanding the NWTP with low-pressure reverse osmosis to improve both capacity and water quality, while implementing upgrades at the SWTP to increase reliability. Long-term plans include major reverse osmosis improvements at the SWTP, with all work scheduled for completion by 2033.
Emerging contaminants such as PFAS also pose future regulatory risks. Although levels measured in the source water have been within current limits, additional monitoring and advanced treatment will be needed to comply with upcoming standards by 2031.
In summary, Marco Island’s storage and distribution systems are strong, but treatment capacity and source water allocations are already strained and will not support projected demand. Strategic, proactive investment in plant upgrades, water rights, and regulatory compliance is essential to ensure that the City can continue to deliver safe, reliable drinking water to the community through 2040 and beyond.
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