Heartland Water Alliance 2025 Water Supply Plan

In June of 2002 the Heartland Water Alliance (HWA), which consists of DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties, was formed to address problems facing the region’s water supply. In June 2003, the HWA selected the Envisors (EVI) (lead consultant) and Black & Veatch (B&V) team to undertake a three-phased work plan to prepare a 20-year Water Supply Plan (WSP) to help ensure adequate water sources are planned to meet water needs through the year 2025 for their four-county HWA area.

The primary objective of the Phase 1 work effort was to evaluate and spatially quantify existing and projected 2025 water demands for the planning area for six distinct water use categories. The 2025 water demands were spatially quantified in 41 geographical demand zones that were established as a part of this project.

The primary objective of the Phase 2 work effort was to identify a master list of potential water supply projects for the HWA, perform a preliminary feasibility screening effort, and then develop a short-list of potentially feasible projects that could be further evaluated during the Phase 3 work efforts. An initial list of 318 water supply options was screened and reduced to a list of 37 options.

The primary objective of the Phase 3 work effort was to further investigate and define the short-list of 37 projects and assemble project development plans that include conceptual cost estimates and implementation schedules. Upon further evaluation, the total water supply potentially available from the final short-list of 35 projects was approximately 252 MGD in comparison to the HWA’s additional need for planning of 103.7 MGD.

Final reports were distributed and presentations were made to the four member counties of the HWA in the summer of 2006. EVI’s recommendations were adopted by the HWA member counties and are actively being implemented to guide the HWA municipalities in their quest to satisfy water demands through the year 2025.