Gulf Coast Desalination Site Ranking Survey

Site Ranking Survey Results

Total Responses 156

Specific Site Information

Please share any information you have about any of the four top-ranked sites that you think we should be aware of in making our selection of a preferred site for the desalination plant.

Top-Ranked Sites	Favor	Percent	Opposed	Percent	No. Opinion or Neutral	Percent	Total # Expressing Opinion on 1 or More Sites
Site A	90	68%	20	15%	23	17%	133
Site C	17	13%	21	16%	95	71%	133
Site B	29	22%	19	14%	85	64%	133
Site D	14	10%	22	17%	97	73%	133
Site J	7	5%	22	17%	104	78%	133
Site E	7	5%	23	17%	103	78%	133

No preference – Mailing address only – 9
No preference – Opposed to project – 11
No preference – Prefer other site not in this area – 2
No preference – Has no problem with project – 1

Information Regarding Specific Sites

Site A – Favorable Comments

Best location/site – mentioned 28 times
Lived within sight of the power plant for approx. 30 years and visited the site. It seems good, A-OK
Close to Gulf for intake and discharge (clean site)
Least complicated legal matters. Cleared & ready - out of traffic patterns
Warm water makes for better fishing!
Makes sense to have utilities in one area
Definitely the best with sharing expenses with power plant. Lower cost – definite factor
Keep the most economical way possible & to protect the environment
Cost effective site; blending “slurry” with power plant outfall reduces “pollution” problem; non-purchased land site saves $’s
Only feasible location since the Anclote River has a tide, a discharge into it would result in a reverse flow of highly salted water and this would affect the total environment of the area. Any discharge should be done well out to sea through a perforated pipe.
This is the only site that makes any sense
Most cost effective
If you put an outfall pipe into the gulf about ¾ mile, it’s easier.
My first choice. Added security of the power plant and away from residential areas.
Close to “outflow” channel = easier to lay discharge pipe to go out into Gulf. Less expensive.
Good place – we have lived on Hickory Lane for 40 years
As a retired engineer, I don’t see any real negatives to this choice. Area available, power source next door.
Looks like the most likely place
Reduce costs
Excellent choice. Close to power and water. I am no engineer – just a woman’s intuition
Keep all of the development together in one location
The closer to the Gulf, the better
The roads are good into the place and there is plenty of room
Best site but requires deep sea intake and outfall
Closest to salt water seems most economic – less visible
Most logical choice
No interference with residential zones
Good flow of water current
2nd choice
This area is the least intrusive. Run discharge lines 30-40 miles into the Gulf and let new water users pay for it.
Cost effective and most logical location. It will not interfere with residential areas.
I vote for this location
OK – lower water bill for our area – no homes in the area
Makes economic sense to erect the plant at the Anclote Power Plant – Consolidation!
Location and cost reduction, power source
Everything needed is accessible
Most logical for the plant
Easy access to gulf water
Makes the most sense and should cost the least to start up
Closest for discharge
1st choice
Seems less intrusive to residential areas. How far out in the Gulf is the discharge point?
Should have been done years ago
It’s the best, cheapest, quietest, residential buffer already exists, least noise, plenty of saltwater.
Close to source of water that brings the cost down. Plus it is in industrial area with power plant. Functions of both plants being so close to each other make sense with construction reasons.
Lowest impact provided it is no more visible than the power plant and that the discharge will not be harmful to the manatees that shelter in that area.
Makes sense – salt water and electricity are readily available. Already industrial use. Traffic already becoming heavy because Key Vista and other proposed developments.
Most suitable – sharing power plant intake and discharge systems. Site already cleared and away from residential.
Appears to be the most economically advantaged site
Cost effective approach. How does the power plant feel about this?
Looks okay – quiet – isolated – industrial area
Good power supply. Suction from plant inlet canal and discharge into outlet canal for mixing the brine.

Site A – Other Comments/Questions

Concerned about how much of a stronger water current would be developed for the boat ramp at the mouth of the power plant.
Might inadvertently create one large target out of two small ones (power plant and desal plant), hurricane and flood vulnerability. Would need very good security.
Only concern would be odor and environmental effect – cost?
My main concern is that the discharge of the desalination plant goes directly into the Gulf of Mexico and not into any part of the Anclote River. Making it go directly into the Gulf would allow it to be diffused more easily.
Too close to boat ramp and park
We don’t need another polluter of Holiday. Florida Power does a good enough job.
Very much against this – eagle nest nearby
We already have one plant smoke stack spewing garbage on pool cover. Do not need another.
Concerned about odor. Already get plenty fallout from Florida Power smoke.
Not recommended due to location near superfund dump from Stauffer Chemical Plant and its ground emissions into local water supply
Don’t like the black smoke. It’s all over our home and pool. Is there going to be more?
Traffic – Too close to parks, rec. ctr., elementary school, old phosphorus plant site, coastline – water pollution.
Too close to natural marsh area – this could destroy the ecology of the area.
Will location at the plant affect swimming at our Anclote & Gulf parks?
A large amount of air pollution already exists from power plant. This would increase in the area of all six sites.
What about runoff effect on river from Stauffer plant?
It’s very dirty and smells funny
Placed here in the middle of a recreational area to spoil the ambiance & views from Key Vista Park
The discharge from the power plant may get into the drinking water (brown foam in water).
How do you dilute the salt put back into the Gulf?
We live nearby and the Florida Power plant is way too noisy!! And too much dirty smoke!! Put it someplace else!!

Site C – Favorable Comments

Also acceptable to me
3rd choice
Good too
My 2nd choice
Closest to salt water seems most economic – less visible
Remote
3rd choice
2nd choice
My 2nd choice
2nd choice
Makes sense – salt water and electricity are readily available. Already industrial use. Traffic already becoming heavy because Key Vista and other proposed developments.
Good power supply. At certain times of year, there is a problem with sea grass in the canals.

Site C – Other Comments/Questions

Concerned about how much of a stronger water current would be developed for the boat ramp at the mouth of the power plant.
Flood plain, hurricane and flood vulnerable
My main concern is that the discharge of the desalination plant goes directly into the Gulf of Mexico and not into any part of the Anclote River. Making it go directly into the Gulf would allow it to be diffused more easily.
Loss of forest a negative; re-zoning counterproductive; acquisition cost a problem
Eagles nest nearby
Not recommended due to location near superfund dump from Stauffer Chemical Plant and its ground emissions into local water supply
Because you have to clear woods, etc., and change from residential to commercial, it’s not as good a location
We already have one plant smoke stack spewing garbage on pool cover. Do not need another.
No – residential and wildlife area
Traffic – Too close to rec. ctr., elementary school, air pollution increase to residents.
Very delicate natural marsh area that could be destroyed
No, this is zoned residential and should stay that way
What about runoff effect on river from Stauffer plant
What will happen to the park?
The discharge from the power plant may get into the drinking water (brown foam in water).

Site B – Favorable Comments

Favorable zoning; agreeable association with FPC; proper zoning; minimal conflict with future residential development
2nd choice after A
Close to “outflow” channel = easier to lay discharge pipe to go out into Gulf. Less expensive. 2nd best choice.
2nd choice
#1 Best site
Would also be good
Looks good because nothing has to cross a road
My first choice
Best site for high salt content H20 to be discharged
Seems to be more logical due to its proximity to the water and less inhabited area
Closest to salt water seems most economic – less visible
Preferred. Already industrial. Will not ruin Key Vista Park and boaters’ view
Good choice
2nd choice – easy access to gulf water
3rd choice
Good flow of water current
1st Choice
3rd choice location

Site B – Other Comments/Questions

Flood plain, hurricane and flood vulnerable
My main concern is that the discharge of the desalination plant goes directly into the Gulf of Mexico and not into any part of the Anclote River. Making it go directly into the Gulf would allow it to be diffused more easily.
Still concerned about eagles
Not recommended due to location near superfund dump from Stauffer Chemical Plant and its ground emissions into local water supply
We already have one plant smoke stack spewing garbage on pool cover. Do not need another.
I do not wish to see interference with fishing pier, recreational activities
Per you – not big enough area – what is?
The discharge from the power plant may get into the drinking water (brown foam in water).
Traffic – too close to park, beach, rec. ctr., coast – vision, air & water pollution
Very delicate natural marsh area that could be destroyed
No, just clutters up the neighborhood
Why consider a site as #3 ranked when already concerned about min. size?
What about runoff effect on river from Stauffer plant
Good power supply. How about flooding during a hurricane

Site D – Favorable Comments

Economy, short input and exhaust, no bridge necessary, easy access, close power next door (water has less salt due to Anclote River).
Good as well
Possible
My third choice
Closest to salt water seems most economic – less visible
Good power supply. I think this is a better selection for the location
My 1st choice

Site D – Other Comments/Questions

Flood plain, hurricane and flood vulnerable
Maybe
Ok if the discharge is directly in Gulf, however, it looks like it might go into the mouth of the Anclote.
Rezone problem; too close to residential
Still concerned about eagles
Not recommended due to location near superfund dump from Stauffer Chemical Plant and its ground emissions into local water supply
Because you have to clear woods, etc. and change from residential to commercial, it’s not as good a location. Also you have to install pipeline for intake and discharge under roadway.
4th choice
We already have one plant smoke stack spewing garbage on pool cover. Do not need another.
No – residential area
Bailey’s Bluff Rd. only 16 feet wide
Too close to residential section
Remote
4th choice
Too close to elementary school, rec. ctr., my neighborhood – pollution
Too much natural marsh area in this location
No, Bailey’s Bluff is high class residential now or soon to be; don’t need factory there.
Blending with Anclote Power Plant cooling towers discharge would add to the already foaming water at the discharge canal.

Site J – Favorable Comments

Ok – not close to home
Most appropriate of top ranked sites (health higher priority than money)

Site J – Other Comments/Questions

Flood plain, hurricane and flood vulnerable
No – discharge would go into Anclote
Too far from FPC and from coast; thus cost inefficient
Not for this at all
Not recommended due to location near superfund dump from Stauffer Chemical Plant and its ground emissions into local water supply
Definitely not a good location
Too close to residential
No – would leave water there high in salt effect on wildlife
I don’t think this would be good – too far from source
Will it cost more to pipe in the water for the plant?
Too close to residential area and also marshy land
No – 2 miles of pipe through neighborhoods…come on!
Where would the suction and discharge be? The more upstream, the less salination.

Site E – Favorable Comments

Better than A

Site E – Other Comments/Questions

Flood plain, hurricane and flood vulnerable
Concerned about location
Ok if the discharge were to go directly west into Gulf. Why this site though, with AB&C sites closer to Gulf?
Zoning problem; forest loss; distance factor
Not for this at all
Not recommended due to location near superfund dump from Stauffer Chemical Plant and its ground emissions into local water supply
No way; with the industrial land at site A on map, why strip & destroy this property
We already have one plant smoke stack spewing garbage on pool cover. Do not need another.
No – residential and wildlife area
Not good
Prefer industrial locations
Will it cost more to pipe in the water for the plant?
Too close to recreation center and my neighborhood. Too much pollution to beach.
Too close to residential area and also marshy land
No, better used for neighborhood, wildlife refuge, school site.
Best site of the 6 offered, but still not a good location. Like “L”, “M” better off coast

Anything Overlooked?

Considering the evaluation process that determined the site ranking, is there anything you think we may have overlooked?

Response	No. of Times Mentioned	Percent
No	11	27
Yes, address Stauffer Chemical Superfund site	8	20
Yes, consider another site location, e.g., near Pasco County’s waste incinerator, where there are no homes, on Tampa Bay, Clearwater Beach	7	14
Yes, effect on wildlife/environment	6	14
Not sure	2	5
Yes, share more information on cost of water with residents	2	5
Yes, hurricane and flood vulnerability	2	5
Yes, urgency of getting project completed	2	5
Yes, effect on property values	2	5

Total Responses	42	100

Other Comments

Do you have any other comments?

Response	No. of Times Mentioned	Percent
Prefer other sites not among top-ranked	8	11
Concerned about long term impact on environment and cost	7	10
More water needed because of growth of area	6	8
Prefer offshore intake and discharge	5	7
Makes no sense to desalinate water when fresh water is allowed to flow to Gulf in other areas of the state; makes better sense to pump from those other areas	4	6
Concerned about FPC’s stack emissions	4	6
Move forward and get project built	3	4
Opposed to site on Anclote River	3	4
Best choice is closest to Gulf	2	3
Desal used elsewhere – known technology	2	3
Consider other uses of salt	2	3
Concerned about noise	2	3
Collocate with FPC plant	2	3
Impose limits on growth	2	3
Other*	18	26

Total Responses	70	100

* Other

Who will users of the water be – what counties?
Who’s responsible for any problems with discharge?
Better water quality?
Water lawns more?
Where would new water mains be located?
Don’t change zoning
Desal projects are for deserts
Why don’t you do a proper study?
Where is citizen advisory group to monitor your work?
Have you talked to local bait stores & FCA, CCA?
Your water costs are not correct
Power company should give more land to Anclote River Park as the whole area is developing and recreation area is too small
Super heated water is pure water! Steam should be sold!
How will #1 affect traffic on Baillies?
Local residents (Tarpon Springs) should have lower water rates
Build a multimillion gallon reservoir in the center of Lake Tarpon “13 miles long & 3 miles wide”
HOA’s force all homeowners to sod property and water excessively or else owners are fined and, in addition, must replace dead sod.
Was storm/rainwater runoff considered? Final site selected could consider use of runoff water, or even the stream water when available.
Concerned about terrorist vulnerability
Concerned about discharge of untreated stormwater and treated wastewater into Anclote River by City of Tarpon Springs