March 9, 1990

Water: Thinking the Unthinkable

Just for a moment let us think the unthinkable-is the Peace River-Manasota Water Supply Authority really necessary?

The authority on Wednesday recommended a $100,000 study to determine the feasibility of buying the General Development Utilities water system and connecting it to Sarasota lines.

Nothing has been said about GDU’s sewage disposal system, which is dependent upon an equal water input.

Critics of the plan - principally in Manatee County - fear the hookup is a scheme by the water-starved city of Sarasota to raid its neighbors’ water supply.

Greg Thornburgh, GDU west coast manager, stoutly declares that the utility company is not for sale. However, the Authority could appropriate the company by power of eminent domain.

Representatives of four counties comprise the Authority: Charlotte, DeSoto, Sarasota and Manatee. Commissioner John Hufnagel is the Charlotte county member.

The group is financed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which obtains its funds through a tax on water bills.

The water supply authority was organized seven years ago to share water in emergencies. Hardee and Glades counties participated in early discussions, but declined to join.

Ironically, Sarasota was less than enthusiastic about the Authority, which it finally joined. Manatee County sells water to Sarasota, but refuses to increase the volume and may even reduce it as needs of the city of Bradenton increase.

The City of Sarasota water supply now is at capacity. Last month it considered, but temporarily postponed, a ban on new construction as a measure to eke out its existing water taken from the Manatee River and from wells. Nevertheless, a group of citizens is circulating a petition to place a “no-growth” moratorium on this year’s ballot.

The Florida Department of Natural Resources will not allow any more water to be taken from the Peace and Myakka Rivers. However, at certain times during the late summer rainy season, the two streams run full. Presumably more water could be safely withdrawn at this time.

Environmentalists challenge any further withdrawal of river water because this would increase salinity of Charlotte Harbor and adversely affect marine life.

Hufnagel defends the feasibility study as a way of cooperatively sharing water without hardship. He cites a study now being prepared for the Authority by the Boyle Engineering Corporation.

Boyle says 22 million gallons per day could be pumped safely from the Peace River during full-flow months and stored in ponds for later use. The cost of such an operation has not been estimated, but it is huge.

Also not yet computed is the millions of dollars the privately owned GDU pays the counties in taxes. If it is taken over, that source of revenue stops. DeSoto Commissioner Ed Johnson states he expects compensation if GDU tax money is lost.

Whatever costs are involved, they will have to be paid by Swiftmud - that is, by all water users through higher rates and taxes on their water bills.

Inevitably, Charlotte County water customers are going to recognize that they will help pay for Sarasota’s water. There is a difference between being a good neighbor and looking out for one’s own interests.

Before spending $100,000 to determine if the GDU water system can be expanded, it would be well for the counties involved to decide whether they will participate. Under Authority rules, all counties must agree to a sharing plan.

It would be foolish to spend that much tax money only to find out one or more counties refuse to go along.

A vote to participate - on condition it is feasible - would discover if any county commission objects on political grounds.

For example, a few years ago Charlotte County, DeSoto County and the City of North Port in Sarasota County considered the possibility of buying GDU. These three governments served by GDU then would operate the water and related sewage systems through an “inter-local agreement.”

Sentiment for this possibility should be sounded out inasmuch as competition for water in Southwest Florida is so intense. There are 300,000 unsold lots in the three areas that will need water in the near future.

Commissioner Hufnagel contends there is no shortage of water, only a way of using it efficiently at reasonable cost.

He is right, but the question of efficiency and reasonableness is a matter of public perception.

The perception must be satisfied before anything else can go forward.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist