Water ConservationRegulatory Tools: Existing &

Planned

Water ConservationRegulatory Tools: Existing &

Planned

Marjorie G. Craig, P.E.Director, Water Supply Department

South Florida Water Management DistrictFebruary 28, 2008

Marjorie G. Craig, P.E.Director, Water Supply Department

South Florida Water Management DistrictFebruary 28, 2008

Stakeholders - Our District Partners

Stakeholders - Our District Partners

Needs: To Complement and Enhance Existing Water

Conservation Efforts

Needs: To Complement and Enhance Existing Water

Conservation Efforts

Outreach WaterSIP (Savings Incentive Projects) grant

funding Regulatory requirements Year round rule - Lee/Collier/Charlotte Counties

Outreach WaterSIP (Savings Incentive Projects) grant

funding Regulatory requirements Year round rule - Lee/Collier/Charlotte Counties

Existing efforts include….

Stakeholder feedback and suggestions can help with enhancement as we move forward

Existing Regulatory Components

Existing Regulatory Components

Public water supply Golf course Commercial / Industrial Irrigation

Public water supply Golf course Commercial / Industrial Irrigation

Water Use Permitting Rules require water conservation plans as part of permit review process for all use types including:

Limitation of lawn and ornamental irrigation “Florida-scape” (Xeriscape), drip irrigation, &

low-flow plumbing ordinances Water conserving rate structures – inclining

rate block Utility water audits – including leak detection

programs Rain sensor device ordinance for new

automatic sprinklers Public education programs

Limitation of lawn and ornamental irrigation “Florida-scape” (Xeriscape), drip irrigation, &

low-flow plumbing ordinances Water conserving rate structures – inclining

rate block Utility water audits – including leak detection

programs Rain sensor device ordinance for new

automatic sprinklers Public education programs

Examples of Conservation Requirements

(Through Water Use Permitting)

Examples of Conservation Requirements

(Through Water Use Permitting)Public Water Supply

“Florida-scape” (Xeriscape) landscaping principles

Golf Course FDEP “Best Management Practices” Manual

Rain sensor devices Automatic switches and/or other

automated methods including weather & temperature sensors

“Florida-scape” (Xeriscape) landscaping principles

Golf Course FDEP “Best Management Practices” Manual

Rain sensor devices Automatic switches and/or other

automated methods including weather & temperature sensors

Examples of Conservation Requirements

(Through Water Use Permitting)

Examples of Conservation Requirements

(Through Water Use Permitting)

Golf Courses & Landscaping

Existing Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule (Ch.40E-24)

Existing Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule (Ch.40E-24)

Established in 2003 Landscape irrigation only Applies to Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties Limits landscape irrigation to 3 days/wk Some local governments opted for 2 days/wk

Established in 2003 Landscape irrigation only Applies to Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties Limits landscape irrigation to 3 days/wk Some local governments opted for 2 days/wk

Factoid: About Factoid: About 50% of water 50% of water use is for use is for landscape landscape irrigation irrigation

History of Proposed Mandatory Year-round Rule: District-wideHistory of Proposed Mandatory Year-round Rule: District-wide

April 2007 Governing Board – Amend year round landscape

irrigation measures and implement rules District-wide

June 2007 Conducted 5 rule development workshops

July 2007 Governing Board directed staff to develop Comprehensive Water Conservation Program; incorporate year-round into larger picture

April 2007 Governing Board – Amend year round landscape

irrigation measures and implement rules District-wide

June 2007 Conducted 5 rule development workshops

July 2007 Governing Board directed staff to develop Comprehensive Water Conservation Program; incorporate year-round into larger picture

Proposed Mandatory Year-round Rule: District-wide

Proposed Mandatory Year-round Rule: District-wide

Consistency with other WMDs where appropriate-is this important? Anticipate coordination statewide – WMDs share some counties

Specific provisions for new plantings – 30 days? 60 days? Etc….Limit turf for landscape?

How many days should be allowed for landscape irrigation? Statewide appears headed for 2 days per week

Consistency with other WMDs where appropriate-is this important? Anticipate coordination statewide – WMDs share some counties

Specific provisions for new plantings – 30 days? 60 days? Etc….Limit turf for landscape?

How many days should be allowed for landscape irrigation? Statewide appears headed for 2 days per week

Stakeholder Discussion & Feedback Requested…

Proposed Mandatory Year-round Rule: District-wide

Proposed Mandatory Year-round Rule: District-wide

Should reclaimed water use be included in the irrigation rules? Should reclaimed irrigation remain unlimited?

Should reclaimed water supplies used for irrigation that are augmented with surface or groundwater be included? Often, these are treated wastewater disposal systems

Additional input or questions from stakeholders?

Should reclaimed water use be included in the irrigation rules? Should reclaimed irrigation remain unlimited?

Should reclaimed water supplies used for irrigation that are augmented with surface or groundwater be included? Often, these are treated wastewater disposal systems

Additional input or questions from stakeholders?

Stakeholder Discussion & Feedback Requested On…

Next StepsNext Steps Complete draft of Conservation Program in April

Incorporate stakeholder feedback into draft year-round rule & bring to Governing Board to begin rule adoption process

Future Step: Develop goal-based water conservation rule(s) including measurable results

Any other suggestions from our stakeholders/partners?

Complete draft of Conservation Program in April

Incorporate stakeholder feedback into draft year-round rule & bring to Governing Board to begin rule adoption process

Future Step: Develop goal-based water conservation rule(s) including measurable results

Any other suggestions from our stakeholders/partners?