Intelligentsia International student trainees Mihee Lim and Chloe Delhomme under the leadership of Dr. Capece created and presented kids with the chlorine removal from tap water flyer on Earth Week in LaBelle on Apr 22-25. Over 800 students participated in the event. [Student Flyer] [Photos] [Album]

Port LaBelle Inn kindly allowed Intelligentsia International student trainees Mihee Lim and Chloe Delhomme the use of Inn facilities for the two-month-long experiments on chlorine removal from tap water. We extend a special thank you to Inn owners Dottie and Richard.

[Photo Gallery]

Recent newspaper articles have drawn attention to the question of central sewers for the undeveloped units of Port LaBelle. Current policies call for central sewer lines once 33% of lots in a unit have houses.
[Letter to Editor] [Current Density Statistics] [Hendry Glades News] [See Page 2, Item 4]

Are still buying bottled water because the tap water smells and tastes of chlorine? Well, you can easily remove all the chlorine from Port LaBelle tap water by letting the sun do the work for free or using store-bought filter systems. Either way, it's money in the bank. [Chlorine Removal Info]

After 11 years of service on the PLUS Citizen Advisory Board, Harold Reecer has retired from service. Harold was presented with an appreciation plaque from PLUS Director Roger Greer and a congratulatory proclamation from Hendry County Commission Chair Janet Taylor. [Photo Gallery]

Port LaBelle Utility Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2008 at 1:00 pm. Among the items to be discussed are Banyan pipeline & network construction project, Hendry water service planning and others. Visit this page frequently for more details. [Banyan DEP Approval]

A vast array of pharmaceuticals have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans. However, because the PLUS water comes from deep under ground, it is far less vulnerable to contamination compared to communities that rely on surface waters.
[Associated Press] [NaplesNews]

The PLUS report submitted on Feb 12, by Han Mouthaan, Glades Co. appointee to the PLUS Advisory Board, encompasses the recent completion of 2 major projects: construction of a water treatment plant; & construction of a transmission & service pipe network for Banyan Village. [PLUS Report]

From 1996 to 2006, long-time Citizens Advisory Board member and chairman W. Harold Reecer produced 43 newsletters sent to Port LaBelle lot owners throughout the nation. An archive containing most of these newsletters has been assembled and posted for public information. [Newsletter Archive]

The new water treatment plant delivers top quality drinking water. Compared to the New York City water supply (rated as best in the nation), Port LaBelle is now just as good. Watch for future news from PLUS on how you can remove the excess chlorine taste & save money.
[Test Results] [Compared to NYC] [Results Interpreting] [Hardness]

The PLUS potable water treatment plant generates almost 150,000 gallons/day of concentrate (reject) water from its membrane softening process. The utility is now actively seeking customers for this relatively good water, which contains 125 mg/L chloride and 1300 ppm TDS
[Lab Results] [Pipeline Map]

Port LaBelle water users are among the most efficient in the state. Our avg daily water use is 85 gallons of potable water per person. To deliver this "finished" water the PLUS treatment plant uses 121 gallons of "raw" groundwater. [PalmBeachPost]

South Floridians have a new online tool for learning about ways to save water and help protect our region's most valuable resource. The South Florida Water Management District has launched a comprehensive web site, providing a one-stop-shop for information. [More Info.] [Website]

SFWMD staff are recommending the governing board move to increase water restrictions. Recommendations include limiting lawn irrigation to one day a week and setting lower water use. [Business Journal]

The Hendry County Planning Office is performing an Evaluation and Assessment Report (EAR)project for its Comprehensive Land Use Plan that will chart a direction for the county and watershed for the coming decades. [Outline Letter]

Hendry County has drafted a 10-year water supply facilities work plan for submission to SFWMD. The report describes current and planned infrastructure.
[Work Plan] [Appendix A. Plan Guide] [B. Water Use Permit] [C. Impact Analysis] [D. Water Restriction Ordinance] [E. PLUS Rate Ordinance] [F. Florida Admin Code] [G. Technical Memoradum] [H. Proposed Utility Zones] [I. Port LaBelle Pop. Model]

Developers and landowners seeking to apply for water service to parcels other than existing single-family residential lots are required to submit an application. Water use demands are to be determined using PLUS standard methods.
[Form] [Consumtion Rates] [Application]

A draft report has been completed forecasting Port LaBelle's population and water use growth. Estimates are that the current 0.9 mgd plant will be sufficient until 2017 and its expansion to 1.8 mgd sufficient through 2027. [Draft Study]

The new Port LaBelle Utility System membrane softening treatment plant started operations on Thursday, July 26, 2007. The old treatment plant will be working alongside the new facility as the utility gradually transitions away from its old lime softening system. [Announcement] [Chloramine vs. Chlorine] [Type of Plants] [Photos]

PLUS plans to undertake an economic analysis of its current rate and fees to determine if they are adequate to cover current and future costs of the utility. Also under consideration (countywide) is a water utility impact fee. [New Water Rates]