Manatee County not set to need another water supply for some time

MANATEE -- While new water supplies will be needed eventually, Manatee County likely has enough potable water through 2034, officials say.

During an almost two-hour presentation Tuesday, Mark Simpson, the Water Division manager, updated the Manatee County Commission about operations and planning, including service areas, facilities, demands and future potable supply plans.

The existing system serves 325,000 people in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

"We currently have enough supply so we don't need to have another supply for quite some time," Simpson said.

Due to water conservation and a dramatic decline in per capita water use, among other factors, a new water supply won't be needed until the future, Simpson said. The county has identified some eventual new supply locations.

"Obviously, you always want to try to conserve water. It is a precious resource," Simpson said. "Sometime, we will need new water supply. It will allow us to push that expense out because we can make better, more efficient use of water."

New supplies will increase costs, Simpson said.

"All the cheap water has been taken," he said. "We picked the low-hanging fruit to start with. We want to stretch that current supply as much as possible."

Commission Chairwoman Betsy Benac said there is a perception in the community the county is running out of water as it grows.

"We are doing long-term water-supply planning and that should be something that is public knowledge," she said.

County Administrator Ed Hunzeker said they are still planning 50 years out.

"The county has a long history of planning for water resources," he said. "We also know where additional supplies can come from."

Commissioners also:

Reappointed Chairman Bill Conerly to the Planning Commission for a term ending October 2019.

Honored Dr. Mary Cantrell, a Manatee County School Board member who died in July, with a proclamation.

Authorized an agreement with HeARTsSpeak Inc.'s Perfect Exposure Project for the organization to host a two-day, onsite training workshop and accept photography equipment for animal services.

Signed an interlocal agreement between University Place Community Development District and Manatee County for the sheriff's office to enhance the traffic patrol on limited access roads owned or controlled by the CDD.

Tabled a vote to reappoint Hugh D. Miller to the Housing Finance Authority of Manatee County since the vacancy was not advertised. The vacancy was not required to be advertised by the Housing Finance Authority.

Voted to have a work session on possible Rye Road speed limit adjustments. The commission will also have a work session on a bicycle ban on Hidden River Trail in Lakewood Ranch.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 11:50 PM with the headline "Manatee County not set to need another water supply for some time ."