SFWMD is continuing to study and test the concept of aquifer storage and recovery. The concept is to store summer excess water in the unused saltwater aquifers by creating freshwater bubbles. This stored water is then pumped out again in the dry season for use. [Aquifer Storage and Recovery]

PLUS applied for the WaterSIP grant from the SFWMD. The project is to replace 180 old and inefficient toilets with high-efficiency toilets to reduce water consumption. If approved by SFWMD, it will save 2.4 million gallons per year with a 2.5 year cost recovery period. [Water SIP grant application] [Water SIP grant completed form]

PLUS received permission from Florida Department of Environmental Protection to construct a new well to replace the old south well that collapsed from age. The new well was completed in June 2008. [FDEP Well Construction Issuance] [FDEP Well Construction Acceptance] [SFWMD Well Construction Acceptance]

After months of searching, PLUS staff discovered and repaired a water pipe leak. The leak had grown to almost 200,000 gal/day. The leak evaded detection because the water was moving through a cavern 2 ft high, 5 ft below the ground near 5008 Montrose Ln. [Location of the leak]

With $58.68/month charged for 4000 gallons of water, PLUS ranks in the middle of regional utilities. PLUS rates are currently higher than City of Labelle but this could change soon as their rates increase. Some utilities, like Golden Gate, charge more than Labelle or PLUS. [Bill Comparison] [Golden Gate's water fee]

Tetra Tech, Inc. reviewed the Hendry County existing user rates and charges for water and wastewater utility services. Budget analysis indicates that a small rate increase is needed and will be considered by the PLUS Advisory Board and Hendry BOCC. [Study]

PLUS has released "2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report" that is designed to inform its customers about the quality of provided water and related services. Constant goal of PLUS is to provide a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. [WQ report]

PLUS would like to thank Daniel Nelson, V.P. of Tetra Tech, Inc., for the co-sponsorship of its exhibits during 2010 Earth Week in LaBelle. The company provides consulting, engineering and technical services worldwide.

Once again PLUS has taken part in Earth Week in LaBelle. Intelligentsia International interns have delivered presentations on utilities and chlorine removal from tap water to 860 students from Hendry and Glades Counties elementary schools on April 19-22. [Photos] [Flyer for kids] [Flyer for adults]

The Banyan Village Special Assessment report has been updated to determine which lots have road pipe frontage and which parcels that do not have access to water could be served in future according to the water line extension project drawings. [Banyan Village Report]

The PLUS Aquifer Parameters Test (APT) analysis conducted by Gerathy & Miller in 1983 reported Sandstone aquifer transmissivity (T) of 119,100 to 298,900 GPD/FT and storativity (S) of 3.0E-4 to 4.7E-4. Recommended values were T = 130,000 GPD/FT and S = 4E-4. [APT Analysis Notes]

A report on the Banyan Village lots (3800 land parcels located in the eastern section of Port Labelle) was revised in order to verify accuracy of the related databases and to determine which lots and parcels are subject to the potable water lines service special assessment. [Banyan Report]

The Hendry County Engineer with assistance from Johnson Engineering has researched the issue and presented a definitive map of the Port LaBelle Utility System service area, as defined in the Feb 11, 2007 interlocal agreement between Hendry County and Glades County. [Service Area Map] [Interlocal Agreement]

The boil water notice previously issued for the Port LaBelle Utility Service area in Hendry County has been lifted. The notice was due to a temporary pump malfunction at the water treatment plant. For further information please call Ron Zimmerly at 863-675-5264. [Lifted Notice Details]

During a research internship in LaBelle, Mihee Lim studied methods for the removal of residual chlorine from PLUS tap water. Mihee has a masters degree in environmental engineering from South Korea. She spent 6 months with Intelligentsia International on various projects. [Abstract] [Internship] [Kid's Flyer] [Public Flyer]

PLUS has been issued a permit from SFWMD for construction of a new well to replace the south well that failed soon after its attempted rehabilitation as part of the new water plant construction project. Tetra Tech secured the permit and will oversee construction of the well.

Port LaBelle Utility System routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact Roger Greer at (863) 675 5376. [Test Results Table]

Two new Glades County developments are proposed near the PLUS service area - American Prime II and River Grove. In considering the proposals, agencies have raised water service questions for both.
[Glades Request] [Population] [Map] [SWFRPC] [DEP] [SFWMD]

The City of LaBelle Public Works (not the Port LaBelle Utility System) has issued a notice of high levels of trihalomethanes in the drinking water of the city. For more information about the risks and solutions of THMs, see the web site at www.SouthernDataStream.com/thm. [Notice] [Risks and Solutions of THMs]

Port LaBelle Utility System conducts regular checks of tap water for high levels of common metals (copper and lead) that can leach from pipes and solder joints. Results show levels below the regulatory levels for Copper (1.3 mg/L) and Lead (0.015 mg/L). [Lead & Copper Test Results]

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

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]

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]

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]