2003 Annual Report
Bonita Springs Utilities

 2003 — Work in Progress

2003 WORK IN PROGRESS

• Above: Nicole Davis was a 5th grader at Spring Creek Elementary when she created the cover drawing for BSU's 2004 Water Conservation Calendar.

  Bonita Springs Utilities acquired the assets of the wastewater treatment plant and collection system serving the Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club area in early 2003. BSU already had been providing potable water service to the more than 400 customers within the country club service territory.
• In January, the utility launched phase 8 of the central sewer system expansion in an area from west of I-75 to Old 41. The project includes the elimination of approximately 360 septic tanks as well as the replacement of old water mains and the installation of extra hydrants to enhance fire protection services.
• In June, work began to bring central sewer service to 470 homes in an area from Matheson to I-75 between the Imperial River and Rosemary Park.
• The utility successfully issued $17 million in water and sewer bonds, taking advantage of favorable interest rates.
• BSU invested a record $45 million in capital improvement projects, building the utility’s infrastructure to support the community’s ongoing growth.
• Construction continued through 2003 on the utility’s reverse osmosis water treatment facility. The $41 million project includes a 20,000-square-foot reverse osmosis plant, storage tank, well field and injection well for disposal of brine, a byproduct of the treatment process.
• The utility’s Web site, at www.BSU.us, was revamped with fresh graphics, more information and easier navigation. An animated, interactive illustration of a house shows ways to save water in and around a typical Florida home. Nearly 500 of the utility’s member-customers have registered to view their bills online.
• In 2003 the utility’s workforce exceeded 100 for the first time. BSU staff positions numbered 105.

The utility’s popular Water Conservation Calendar was produced for the third year. The BSU directors recognized the Bonita Springs area elementary school students whose drawings illustrated the 2004 calendar: (front row left to right) Carla Garcia, Spring Creek Elementary; Meaghan Kirkpatrick, First Baptist Academy; Ricardo Lopez, Spring Creek Elementary; Katy Karina Solis, Spring Creek Elementary; Leonel Rodriguez III, Spring Creek Elementary and Tasha Corley, Spring Creek Elementary. (Second row) Freddy the Alligator from the South Florida Water Management District and students Constance Stearns, Bonita Springs Elementary; Sarah Bielski, Pinewoods Elementary; Sandra Pratt, Spring Creek Elementary, Brittany Fones, Spring Creek Elementary; and Nicole Davis, Spring Creek Elementary. (Third row) BSU directors Harvey Haines, Marc Ciaffone, John Mathes, Frank Liles Jr. and Robert McGrath. (Top row) BSU Executive Director Fred Partin and directors Henry J. Hochstetler, Robert Bachman, Paul Attwood and David McKee. Not pictured: Students Israel Mejia and Kaylyn Lihan, both of Spring Creek Elementary.