JEKYLL ISLAND CARRYING CAPACITY & INFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT CHAPTER 4 - CARRYING CAPACITY and maintenance are Lift Station #1, #3, #5, #11, #12, #15 and #18. To reduce maintenance, improve pump efficiency, and reduce energy use, all the pump stations should be retrofitted with Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s). VFD’s work with existing pumps to control power frequency and rotational speed, which results in improved pump lifespan and reductions in energy consumption. The island also contains nineteen (19) septic systems located throughout the island. It is likely these systems have not had regular maintenance and could be in failure depending upon age. Given the sensitive environment and susceptibility to future clogging and potential groundwater contamination, all wastewater discharges should be connected into the piped network for more reliable treatment. This process could be phased over time and be prioritized by age of system and location to existing sanitary mains. ELECTRICAL POWER Jekyll Island is supplied with electric power from the Georgia Power Company. The main transmission lines that feed the island extend from the mainland along the north side of the Jekyll Island Causeway and onto the island. Most transmission lines on the island are overhead lines. It is aspirational to aim towards completely burying the existing electrical system, but a more realistic effort should be to stabilize existing transmission lines and supports that supply power to critical infrastructure systems. These critical support locations include: power substation, wastewater treatment plant, all lift stations and all potable wells and equipment. In alignment with recent built developments JIA should accept and approve only direct burial electrical connections for new developments. This could help to increase the islands resilience to high wind induced power outages and help maintain the visual character of the island. SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE RECOMMENDATIONS Aside from the evaluation of standard capacity, the capacity for the island should also be
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consistent with the sustainable character of environmental systems on the island. A few key approaches stand out as opportunities that the island may want to consider in the future: Wastewater Re-use: Average demand for irrigation is approximately 1.8 million gallons per month, which is primarily associated with the golf courses. This demand is met through the combination of Miocene and Floridan aquifer wells (40% from Miocene and 60% from the Floridan aquifer). Reducing irrigation and the overall water footprint, as proposed by JIA, is an important consideration and would help avoid depleting the Floridan Aquifer and limit the chance of contamination. Treated wastewater from the wastewater treatment plant should be used for a non-potable irrigation supply for the golf courses. Treatment levels from the plant would be adequate for non-potable irrigation re-use and could supply in the range of 400,000 to 550,000 gallons per day, or 12 to 16.5 million gallons per month, under current operating conditions. By re-directing flow for re-use, the golf course could reduce its need for well-water from the Floridan Aquifer and reduce the open water discharge into Jekyll River. Water Efficiency: As an island with a focus on sustainability and conservation it seems even more obvious that the JIA should encourage lowflow water fixtures for faucets and toilets for both new development as well as existing homes and businesses. This could help improve the Jekyll Island brand, reduce the strain on the Floridan Aquifer and lower the water footprint for the island. Coordinating incentives to improve water efficiency with water rate adjustments could help to promote the sustainability approach as well as the economic drivers behind the upgrades. INFRASTRUCTURE MAPS Maps on the following pages show an inventory and analysis of the infrastructure on Jekyll Island. These include Utility Infrastructure, Lifespan for Existing Domestic Water System, and Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure and its lifespan.