Titusville TEC unanimously recommends council fund brackish‑water feasibility study and ASR/wellfield recharge review

The Titusville Technical/Environmental Committee on an unanimous vote recommended that the City Council authorize a consultant feasibility study into brackish groundwater as an alternative municipal water source and direct concurrent study of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) and wellfield recharge.

Sandy Rer, the city’s public works director, told the committee the consultant task order before council would evaluate whether a brackish source is technically and economically feasible and how it could be integrated with the city’s existing wellfields and treatment plant. She said the work is intended to demonstrate to the St. Johns River Water Management District that the city is actively evaluating alternative sources as part of future requests related to its consumptive use permit (CUP).

Committee members repeatedly framed the item as a feasibility step rather than a commitment to a single supply. “This is just the preliminary feasibility — can we do it? Will we have to manage brine? Can we blend it at our plant?” said a committee member during the discussion. Members pressed staff and the consultant selection on three points: (1) the firm must show prior experience and hydrogeology capability, (2) the studies should clearly identify brine disposal and treatment options (including whether blending with the lime‑softening plant or an RO system would be required), and (3) the city should explore ASR and stormwater‑driven recharge in parallel rather than treating those as an afterthought.

The motion carried after a restated motion. Member Miller moved that TEC recommend council “move forward with the brackish‑water study and include ASR and wellfield recharge.” The motion was seconded and, after clarification and a roll‑call, passed unanimously (Members Berdett, Delgado, Nico, Tucker, Vice Chairwoman Thompson, Miller and Chairman Mjek voting yes).

Staff said the consultant named in materials, CDM Smith, can bring hydrogeologists and subconsultants as needed and recommended that TEC ask the firm to provide project histories and references as part of the task order materials for council. Members also urged staff to include clear deliverables that the city can present to the water management district to justify any future CUP increase.

What happens next: TEC’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for consideration on the council agenda scheduled later this month. If council approves, staff said the city would execute the consultant task order, collect the consultant’s project experience and proposed scope, and report findings back to TEC and the Council.

The committee’s action does not itself authorize construction or commit the city to a particular water‑source pathway; it directs staff to proceed with feasibility work and reporting to the governing body.