Naples says water system has capacity through 2040 but plans to maintain wells, treatment and reclaimed water operations

At a Jan. 13 workshop Naples public works staff gave council a summary of the 2022 update to the Integrated Water Resources Plan and a briefing on water and wastewater service areas outside city limits. The update projects that potable water and wastewater capacity meet demand through 2040 but recommends continued well rehabilitation, preventative plant maintenance and targeted planning for future alternatives.

Key points: - Potable supply: City projections show a 20‑year planning demand peak of roughly 21 million gallons per day against a water treatment plant capacity of 30 million gallons per day. Staff said there is no immediate capacity gap for potable water through 2040. Staff highlighted an ongoing comprehensive well‑field evaluation and two new well projects (well 408 near completion; well 426 in design). - Water use permit: Staff reported the city obtained an extended water‑use allocation from the South Florida Water Management District that runs through 2040 (a 10‑year extension added in 2024). Council asked staff to provide the engineering documentation behind that extension and permit terms. - Reclaimed water and ASR: The city's reclaimed water network and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells were credited with cutting potable irrigation demands and reducing discharges to the Gordon River. Staff said the city has limited additional reclaimed water capacity without new source water and is conducting an ASR evaluation to test options for increased recovery and operational changes. - Wastewater: Plant and collection analyses show the wastewater facility's 10 million‑gallons‑per‑day rating will accommodate projected flows; staff urged continuing infiltration‑and‑inflow (I/I) pipe‑lining and manhole sealing to reduce extraneous flow.

The briefing also reviewed the city's water and sewer service area footprints (about 18,435 water meters overall, roughly 45% city customers and 55% county customers). Staff described the city's letter‑of‑availability and utility review process for county projects within the city's service area and said they will continue coordination with Collier County on developments near the city boundary. Council members asked for further data on permit terms, reclaimed water chloride limits and how development near city borders affects infrastructure demand.

Staff will follow up with the documentation requested and return with suggested next steps on well‑field reinvestment and the ASR evaluation.