Withlacoochee Regional Ground Water Supply Plan
City of Ocala, Citrus, Hernando and Sumter Counties, Florida
The Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority (WRWSA) Regional Water Supply Plan Update – 2005 (RWSPU) determines both the existing and projected water demands for the region and assesses the sustainability of groundwater resources to support future demands. Future water supply development projects, both traditional and alternative, are identified for the region.WRA prepared the RWSPU using the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Peninsular Florida groundwater flow model (aka Mega Model), in cooperation with HydroGeoLogic, Inc. The area modeled is a Priority Water Resource Caution Area due to saltwater intrusion, wetland and lake impacts. A significant challenge for the project was attributing large quantities of domestic self supply and agricultural withdrawals that were not sufficiently represented in the Mega Model within the area of interest. WRA developed attributes for these withdrawals and prepared the groundwater assessment using the Mega Model. WRA evaluated resource impacts to wetlands, springs, and lakes due to the existing and projected groundwater withdrawals. There were approximately 200 MGD of allocated or projected groundwater uses within the area of interest. The groundwater assessment located an additional 55 mgd of groundwater for consumptive use permitting to meet future Authority member demand. The project was co-funded by the SWFWMD.Peter Hubbell and Josh Schmitz, P.E., a Senior Professional Engineer and Environmental Scientist with WRA, made several presentations to stakeholder groups and the WRWSA Board to garner support for water supply alternatives and permit applications.
