Waste Water/Reclaimed Water
The wastewater system consists of a tertiary treatment plant with a permitted capacity of 20 million gallons per day, gravity interceptor and collection and transmission lines with 29 lift stations. In addition, the effluent disposal system includes a 1,000 acre site containing 85 rapid infiltration basins and a reclaimed water system with an average demand of 5.8 million gallons per day that is used for irrigation of golf courses and other landscaped areas.
Solid Waste
The solid waste system consists of a fleet of vehicles for the collection and transfer of recyclables and solid waste, a solid waste transfer station, and a recyclable collections facility. The highly successful recycling system processes over 24,000 tons annually of aluminum, paper, steel cans, food waste, cardboard, and plastic containers each year. The District has been a pioneer in the use of sustainable technology to reduce the amount of waste requiring landfill disposal. Its programs extend beyond traditional paper, steel and aluminum recycling to include innovative programs such as food waste collection and concrete debris recycling. It sets higher landfill diversion targets for the future and encourages new programs and research. District policies emphasize the importance of efficient and environmentally sound waste collection and disposal.
Electric
The District operates and maintains an electrical generation, transmission and distribution system which provides service throughout the District. The system includes a state-of-the-art cogeneration facility currently aggregating 55,000 kW of net capability. RCID purchases the remainder of its needs from other utilities. The transmission system includes nine 69 kV substations and distributes all power via a 12.47 kV underground distribution system. The peak demand of the electrical system is approximately 196 MW.
Potable Water
A potable water supply and distribution system provides service to customers throughout the District. The system includes 11 Floridan Aquifer wells and four pump stations with a total design rating of 60 million gallons per day to meet an average daily demand of 14 million gallons. To augment the water production facilities during peak periods, the system includes five above-ground water storage tanks having a combined capacity of 7.95 million gallons. A high priority is placed on the continued safety of the water supply, protection of wellheads, maintenance of existing facilities, expansion of facilities to serve new development, and water consumption.
Natural Gas
The District’s natural gas system serves its customers by providing natural gas which the District purchases at the wellhead and which is transported by Florida Gas Transmission Company pipelines to the District’s system. Gas from the system is also used as fuel for the electric cogeneration plant.
Natural Gas OM Procedures Manual
Chilled Water
The chilled water system provides chilled water for air conditioning through portions of the District. Chilled water is generated utilizing 22 centrifugal chillers and one absorption chiller located at three facilities. The District has a five million gallon chilled water thermal storage facility in the North Service Area.
Hot Water
The hot water system provides hot water for heating and food preparation purposes through portions of the District. The heat generated by the electrical cogeneration plant is used to heat the water for a portion of the system, and the remainder is heated by three gas-fired hot water