Long-Term Water Supply Plan Update to Meet Growth and New Drinking Water Standards – margatenews.net

Long-Term Water Supply Plan Update in Margate: Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The City of Margate is advancing a significant update to its Comprehensive Plan, focusing on the sustainable supply, treatment, and protection of drinking water for future decades. This update amends Element III of the City’s Comprehensive Plan to formally adopt an updated Ten-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan, fulfilling Florida state law requirements. The plan update aligns with the 2023–2024 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan by the South Florida Water Management District and must be completed by February 22, 2026, to ensure compliance.

Strategic Planning for Sustainable Water Supply

The updated plan serves as a long-term blueprint to provide safe and reliable drinking water to residents and businesses in Margate and southern Coconut Creek. The City’s Department of Environmental and Engineering Services Utilities Division manages the entire potable water system, including:

• Wells
• Treatment facilities
• Storage
• Distribution infrastructure

This comprehensive responsibility underscores the importance of long-term planning to prevent service disruptions and costly emergency repairs, supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Plan Development and Population Growth Considerations

Prepared by Hazen and Sawyer in collaboration with City staff, the plan incorporates updated population projections, water demand forecasts, and infrastructure evaluations through 2045. Key data include:

1. Current service area population: over 67,000 residents
2. Service area size: approximately 10.7 square miles
3. Projected gradual increase in water demand over the next two decades
4. Existing water treatment capacity: 13.5 million gallons per day, sufficient through 2045 with planned upgrades

This approach supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with urban growth.

Addressing Emerging Drinking Water Regulations

A critical update driver is compliance with new federal regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established enforceable maximum contaminant limits for PFAS compounds in 2024, with full compliance required by 2031. Findings include:

• Raw water from the Biscayne Aquifer exceeds PFAS limits
• Current lime-softening treatment is insufficient to remove PFAS to required levels
• Implementation of a multi-year pilot study evaluating advanced treatment options
• Ion exchange identified as the preferred treatment method for regulatory compliance, water conservation, and permitted withdrawal adherence

This initiative advances SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by ensuring safe drinking water and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production through efficient treatment technologies.

Water Supply Protection and Environmental Compliance

The plan details legal protections for Margate’s water supply via long-term consumptive use permits from the South Florida Water Management District. Highlights include:

• Authorized withdrawals from the Biscayne Aquifer
• Support from the C-51 Reservoir storage capacity, operational since 2024
• Offset water supply enabling demand fulfillment without breaching environmental limits
• Maintaining compliance to avoid development restrictions and safeguard emergency response capabilities

These measures contribute to SDG 15: Life on Land by protecting aquatic ecosystems and SDG 13: Climate Action through sustainable resource management.

Water Conservation and Efficiency Measures

Conservation is emphasized as a core strategy, with Margate engaging in regional programs and technological investments, including:

• Advanced metering infrastructure
• Leak detection technologies
• Irrigation and landscaping standards enforcement
• Reduction in per-capita water use over recent years

These efforts extend infrastructure lifespan, reduce operational costs, and minimize the need for costly expansions, aligning with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Governance and Community Impact

The Planning and Zoning Board reviewed and recommended approval of the amendment on December 2, 2025. The City Commission is set to adopt the plan and formally transmit it to the Florida Department of Commerce as mandated by law.

For taxpayers, this ordinance represents prudent financial stewardship by:

1. Avoiding emergency projects with higher costs and rate shocks
2. Aligning growth, regulatory compliance, and capital investments proactively
3. Positioning the City to secure state and federal funding
4. Maintaining stable utility rates and protecting public health

This governance approach supports SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by promoting transparent and responsible city planning.

Conclusion

Margate’s updated Long-Term Water Supply Plan exemplifies a comprehensive, sustainable approach to water resource management that integrates regulatory compliance, infrastructure resilience, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. The plan’s alignment with multiple Sustainable Development Goals ensures that Margate is prepared to meet future challenges while safeguarding vital water resources for generations to come.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article focuses on ensuring safe and reliable drinking water supply, treatment, and protection, which directly relates to SDG 6.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The long-term water supply planning supports sustainable urban development and infrastructure management.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Water conservation efforts and compliance with environmental limits contribute to climate resilience and sustainable resource management.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Addressing PFAS contamination and ensuring safe drinking water protects public health.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
   • Target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Water Quality Indicators
   • Measurement of PFAS concentrations in raw and treated water to ensure compliance with EPA maximum contaminant limits.
2. Water Supply Capacity and Demand
   • Gallons per day of water treatment capacity versus projected water demand through 2045.
3. Water Conservation Metrics
   • Per-capita water use reductions achieved through conservation programs, advanced metering, and leak detection.
4. Regulatory Compliance
   • Status of consumptive use permits and adherence to environmental withdrawal limits.
5. Infrastructure Performance
   • Implementation progress of planned upgrades and pilot studies for advanced treatment technologies.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: margatenews.net