This request would transfer $150,000 from the Downtown Seawalk CIP H51-091 to the Last Chance Basin CIP W75-037 to partially fund the design for the rehabilitation of the Last Chance Basin Well Field.  

Well field production in the Last Chance Basin has been declining to the point that the Water Utility was unable to meet peak drinking water demand this summer. Peak demand occurs in the summer months and is largely driven by the desire of cruise ships to fill up with drinking water while in our port. 

This past summer the Utility was unable to supply cruise ships with a stable or predictable water supply. Last month, staff from Engineering, Public Works and Manager’s office met with cruise ship representatives to discuss the issue. Well field rehabilitation is a priority of the Utility and Assembly as is evidenced by our DEC Grant application and designation of it as a priority project by the Assembly. It is a priority of the cruise ship industry to improve the water supply as soon as is feasible. 

Depending on the decisions made, a well field rehabilitation project could cost on the order of three million dollars. It is in both the Utility and cruise ship industry’s interests to better define and estimate a well field rehabilitation project. At our meeting, there was support from the industry representatives to use Passenger Fees towards that end. 

The Pubic Works and Facilities Committee reviewed and forwarded this request at its November 18, 2013 meeting.