WATER ADVISORY BOARD/TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING – May 15, 2014
This was a very important and interesting meeting. The topics discussed were:
A.
National Climate Assessment: The National Climate Assessment has published assessments for
2000, 2009, and 2014 in the areas of warming trends, precipitation, extreme events, the decline of sea ice and sea level rise. Broward County is particularly vulnerable due to flat, low lying topography, dense coastal development, porous geology which precludes a Netherlands diking type of solution, built-out communities and aging flood control structures. The White House has had three National Climate Assessment Conferences with Broward’s Kristin Jacobs serving on the committee. There have been numerous flooding episodes in Broward County during Spring
Tides combined with high winds at high tide without a storm event. The water has come up the storm drains in some areas in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Back flow preventers will be installed to counter this effect. There have been more one-in-a-hundred-year events such as 16.2 inches of rain in Hollywood in December 2009. After Hurricane Sandy, Fort Lauderdale A1A had to be repaired due to severe beach erosion. Saltwater intrusion has affected 17% of coastal well field capacity with 49% at risk. The National Climate Assessment provides a strong foundation for local and regional governments to plan for solutions to these problems.
B.
Miami-Dade Surface/Ground Water Modeling with USGS (United States Geological Survey):
Miami-Dade entered into a joint funding agreement with the USGS in 2008 in response to the
South Florida Water Management District’s 20 year water use permit. The simulation period was from 1/1/1996 to 12/31/2010. It was concluded that in areas where the land is higher than high tide, existing structures can be used to control saltwater intrusion. In areas lower than high tide, changes need to be made.
C.
Aquifer Storage and Recovery: ASR has a long history in Florida beginning with Manatee County in 1983. In 1997 arsenic was found in water recovered from the Tampa system which resulted in revised arsenic standards. Two pilot projects were funded: CERP (Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan) Kissimmee River ASR Pilot and CERP Hillsboro ASR Pilot to address the arsenic problem. Technical and regulatory solutions have been found to address the arsenic problem.
Innovative approaches are ongoing.
D.
City of Fort Lauderdale’s Storm Water Management: The city faces many challenges including high groundwater table, low-lying residential streets, sea level rise, deteriorating seawalls, aging infrastructure, and the absence of storm water infrastructure. The problems will be attacked in three phases of which phase one is funded. Improvement features will include: bioswales/rain gardens, recharge drainage wells, exfiltration trenches, tidal control valves, pervious pavers & paver drains, seawall repairs and upgrades, and storm water preserves. Pumping stations will be installed in areas where the water can no longer flow out. Capitol will be sought for phases two and three.

Submitted by: Terry Lianzi, Member At-Large