After 20 years of administering a successful and mutually beneficial partnership with area citrus growers, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday (August 23) to begin charging citrus growers for reclaimed water used for irrigation and cold protection.

According to FFVA Producer Member Rex Clonts, this is a very disappointing decision that will hurt the bottom line for growers who are trying to survive in a business that is only marginally profitable under current economic conditions. “Growers, who have historically been viewed by the county as partners in a very successful public/private partnership of national acclaim, are now simply viewed as utility customers that must pay the going rate,” Clonts said, adding that “the new rate structure will force some growers to apply for permits to use traditional groundwater sources. Others may just sell their property for development and move on,” he said.
New Conserv II citrus contracts to be established in 2006 (when the original 20-year contracts expire) will include a fee schedule of $.11 per thousand gallons with automatic step increases to $.15 per thousand in 2009 and $.19 per thousand in 2012.

Growers with contracts that expire after 2006 will be able to enter a new contract at whichever rate is applicable in accordance with the schedule of step increases.
While growers believe that this rate exceeds the cost of self supply and is too high to be supported by citrus production under current conditions, county staff pointed out that the rate is far below the current rates of $.28 to $.84, which are charged to users in other categories.

According to Alan Peirce, who participated in the commission meeting on behalf of FFVA, Orange County’s decision will probably eliminate the possibility of any future public/private partnerships of this type in Florida.

“The reality is that reclaimed water has gone from being a liability to a commodity during recent years,” he said. “For Orange County, which has existing and pending contracts with municipalities that are willing to pay much higher rates for this water, this really came down to a simple economic decision. Only a couple of the commissioners showed any remorse after turning their backs on their longstanding partners to make a buck,” Peirce said.