RESPEC PROJECT

The Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Authority) is a prominent regional water supplier in Southwest Florida with a mission to supply wholesale drinking water to local communities supporting economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in the region. The Authority facilitates strategic planning of the region’s water supply by offering a collaborative platform for its four member counties. This approach allows for economies of scale, shared expertise, and environmental stewardship. 

The Authority serves a substantial population of more than 900,000 individuals across Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. With an average supply of 29 million gallons per day of drinking water, the Authority plays a huge role in meeting the region’s water demands. The Authority operates various facilities, including two off-stream reservoirs, two aquifer storage and recovery wellfields, and a potable water treatment plant. 

RESPEC was enlisted by the Authority as part of an interdisciplinary team that provides consulting services for the Brackish Wellfield Preliminary Design Project. This project is an essential component of the Authority’s long-term plans that involve the construction of the proposed brackish groundwater facilities scheduled to be online between 2028 and 2030. 

The Brackish Wellfield Preliminary Design Project aims to develop and submit a comprehensive Brackish Wellfield and Treatment Facility 30% Preliminary Design Report (PDR) to the Authority. RESPEC’s role in this project is to provide the following specialized hydrogeologic services that support the objective:  

• Wellfield and production well design 
• Water use permitting 
• Groundwater flow modeling 
• Well construction and testing specifications 
• Well contractor selection assistance 
• Well construction and testing oversight 
• Aquifer performance testing oversight 
• Water quality and yield analyses. 

RESPEC will also assist in obtaining the necessary permits for the project’s 15.0 million gallons per day brackish groundwater supply.