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Commission hears stormwater upgrade plans, deep-injection wells and drinking-water clarifications
Summary
Officials outlined multi-million-dollar stormwater work including pump-station upgrades and deep injection wells; staff said the projects are designed to discharge below the drinking-water layer but commissioners raised saltwater intrusion concerns for shallow private wells.
North Bay Village officials updated the commission on March 3 about ongoing stormwater and pump-station upgrades and plans for deep injection wells intended to manage high-tide flooding and sea-level impacts.
Frank told the commission that several pump stations — including recently upgraded units on Hispaniola and by Village Hall — have been rebuilt to meet new flood standards and that the main pump station will receive a permanent generator. He added that portable trailer generators have been procured for smaller pump stations.
The first stormwater project will be on North Bay Island (southeast corner near Coquina and Bay Terrace). Frank described plans for deep water injection infrastructure: "There'll be 6 deep water injection wells in the middle of the street...that's where the water will be deposited," and he said engineers plan to discharge into a deeper strata below the Biscayne Aquifer, which he said would not affect drinking-water supplies. "The drinking water didn't come from the bay," Frank said while explaining the Biscayne Aquifer and county-supplied potable water.
Commissioners and residents pushed back with questions about saltwater intrusion and the risk to shallow private wells as sea levels rise. Frank acknowledged that brackish water is affecting shallow wells in low-lying areas and that some residents will need deeper wells or other mitigation. The commission discussed the potential need to relocate utilities, install additional pump stations and the uncertainty of what will be encountered when crews open streets for deep-well installation.
Because stormwater and seawalls affect flood risk for homeowners and infrastructure, commissioners said they will prioritize close oversight. Frank also described incentives for living seawalls on waterfront properties, including a permit/fee benefit to encourage environmentally oriented seawall designs.
Next steps: staff will advance design and geotechnical work for deep-injection wells, evaluate potential impacts to sewer alignments and report findings and recommended mitigations to the commission.
