ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM AT KSC

Permitting & Compliance - Water Quality Program - Consumptive Use Permitting

Overview

The type of water use and volume consumed at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) requires permitting under regulation 40C-2, Florida Administrative Code. KSC Consumptive Use Permit 50054, issued by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), describes the water use at the KSC and places limits on volumes that can be consumed. The Consumptive Use Permit (CUP) applies to all organizations at KSC and covers various activities including household use, industrial use, aesthetic use, agricultural and landscaping use, groundwater withdrawal, and secondary use of potable water purchased from the City of Cocoa.

It is the responsibility of all organizations to comply with the requirements of this permit and notify the NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B) of any operational changes which could impact the KSC’s compliance with the permit. Those organizations with reporting requirements must submit all required data to the NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B) on a monthly basis, no later than the 10th day of the month following the reporting period. The NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B) will compile monthly data from all KSC organizations into a single six-month report and will submit the report prior to the due dates specified in the permit.

Impacts of Consumptive Use of Water and Permitting Requirements

Dewatering

Dewatering activities at the KSC are regulated by the quantity of water withdrawn, the duration of the activity, and the method by which the withdrawn water is disposed. Rules apply to all dewatering activities including the pump out of manholes, sumps, and other structures in which groundwater may accumulate. It is important to note that the consumptive use regulations do not address water quality issues associated with contaminated sites or possible discharge of pollutants to waters of the State. This issue is addressed by Industrial Wastewater and Remediation programs.

All dewatering projects at KSC, regardless of permitting requirements, must adhere to the following general requirements:

  • Appropriate regulations and policy for potentially contaminated water must be followed
  • All dewatering will adhere to best management practices regarding turbidity and erosion control
  • No dewatering activities shall be performed where there are chemicals or materials present in the discharge area that may contaminate the effluent
  • There will be no direct discharges to Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW), Class I, or Class II water bodies

A dewatering activity may withdraw any quantity of groundwater or surface water for any duration of time without a consumptive use permit, provided the water is recharged on site by infiltration. An Individual Permit or a Standard General Permit is required for dewatering activities that exceed:

  • 6 million gallons per day for the first 120 hours; or
  • 2 million gallons per day for 60 days; or
  • 1 million gallons per day for 180 days
  • 180 days duration

All other dewatering activities are covered under a “Noticed General Permit for Short Term Construction Dewatering” issued to the NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B) by SJRWMD. Any KSC organization may receive coverage under this permit provided the permit conditions are followed.

Wells

Water wells at KSC must be installed by licensed well drillers, permitted as required to by the Florida Department of Health, and added to the CUP. Out of service wells must be properly abandoned by licensed well drillers by plugging them with grout, notifying SJRWMD, and removing them from the CUP. There are numerous wells on KSC property from agricultural and domestic use prior to the establishment of the KSC. Wells found during construction or clearing should be reported to NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B).

Secondary Use

Potable water, purchased from the City of Cocoa, is used for a variety of purposes at KSC including agricultural uses such as irrigation, domestic uses such as cooking and washing, and industrial uses from air conditioning to launch deluge water. A yearly total for secondary water use by KSC is established in the CUP and metered values, reported to SJRWMD annually by KSC, are compared to the permitted totals.

Consumptive Use of Water at KSC

The organization responsible for a project that requires dewatering, constructs a groundwater well, uses large volumes from KSC potable water system, whether a permit is necessary or not, will ensure that regulatory criteria, best engineering practices, codes, specifications and standards are followed. Projects consuming water at KSC require varying degrees of regulatory oversight depending on the nature of the project and the work involved. KNPR 8500.1 lists the levels of regulatory action required for projects at KSC and the permitting process associated with each.

All correspondence with regulatory agencies regarding consumptive use of water at KSC is to originate from the NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B). All NASA and contractor organizations (including design, construction, environmental, or O&M organizations) will process all notifications, permit applications, requests for approval, compliance monitoring, reports, requests for clearance, and any other submittal to a regulatory agency through the NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B).

Consumptive Use Points of Contact

  • Doug Durham (321-867-8429)
  • Tom Price (321-867-8988)