Local planning board recommends transmittal of Lake Worth Beach 10-year water supply plan

Lance Lilly, a planner with Chen Moore, told the Historic Resources Preservation Board the city’s 10-year water supply facilities work plan implements requirements tied to the South Florida Water Management District plan adopted in September 2024. "So this request is for approval of a 10 year water supply plan," he said during his presentation, noting the plan covers needs assessment, population projections, demand, conservation and capital projects.

Staff recommended the board transmit the document and recommend the ordinance be forwarded to the City Commission and, subsequently, to state reviewing agencies for comment. The ordinance was presented as "Ordinance 2026-O4 — consideration of an ordinance to update the city's 10 year water supply facilities work plan pursuant to section 163.31776(c) of Florida statutes." A board member moved to recommend transmittal so the commission can review and the board approved the motion by voice vote. The board’s recommendation is an advisory step; final adoption will occur later at the City Commission and following review by state agencies, including the South Florida Water Management District.

Why it matters: the plan documents projected water demand and the city's planned capital improvements for the next decade. Because Florida law requires local governments to adopt a water supply plan following regional water-management-district updates, transmittal to the commission starts a required review process and triggers state-level comments that could change technical elements before final adoption.