Public Meeting - Sarasota County Draft Uic Permit

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Drinking Water and Aquifer Protection Program is holding an open house public meeting to which all persons are invited. During this public meeting, representatives of both DEP and the applicant (Sarasota County) will be available to answer questions and provide information about a draft underground injection control permit (File No. 0328709-004-005-UC/5R, WACS ID 102021).
This draft permit proposes to authorize the operational testing of two Class V, Group 3, aquifer recharge wells at the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility, located at 5550 Lorraine Road, Sarasota, FL 34240, in Sarasota County. These aquifer recharge wells were constructed to total depths of 1,310 and 1,700 feet below land surface. One well (RW-1) was constructed for the purpose of aquifer recharge using reclaimed water meeting high level disinfection, and the second (RW-2) was constructed to create a hydrogeologic barrier to saltwater intrusion. and serving as a saltwater intrusion barrier. The reclaimed water will be produced from the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility.
Sarasota County Public Utilities applied for the permit on Oct. 25, 2022. The draft permit was issued on Oct. 23, 2024, and the Notice of Draft Permit was published on Sarasota County's public website (SCGov.net) on Nov. 18, 2024. A notice of this public meeting was also published on Sarasota County's public website (SCGov.net) on May 23, 2025.
More information on the draft permit or a copy of the public meeting's agenda may be obtained by contacting Richard Lobinske, DEP Drinking Water and Aquifer Protection Program, by U.S. mail at 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3520, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2400, by phone at 850-245-8655 or by email at app@dep.state.fl.us. Written public comments can be submitted during the public meeting or can be sent to Richard Lobinske as listed above through Monday, June 30, 2025. Those wishing to enter oral comments into the record at the public meeting will be able to do so on an individual basis at an oral comment station. All comments received through June 30, 2025, will be considered in formulation of DEP's final decisions regarding permit issuance and shall be addressed as provided in Rule 62-528.330, F.A.C.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap or marital status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) are asked to contact DEP's Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Coordinator at 850-245-2118 or LEP@FloridaDEP.gov at least ten (10) days before the meeting. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice).