Volusia County’s Water Conservation Programs Presentation to The Blue Spring Working Group September 9, 2010

CONTACT INFORMATION Tom Carey County of Volusia - Environmental Management Pollution Control Program Manager 123 W. Indiana Ave. DeLand, FL (386) ext

It is much easier and less expensive to save water than it is to find new supplies. -J.I. Palmer US EPA

History of Water Conservation  Comprehensive water conservation education and outreach program  July 1989, 1 st water conservation ordinance  July 2004, landscape irrigation ordinance (Water Wise)  May 2009, ticketing authority for water violations  August 2009, Utility water conservation rate increase

Typical Residential Usage Source: “Water Conservation and Use”, Amy Vickers

Target for water conservation

Water Conservation in Volusia County Task Team Approach:  Environmental Management  Building and Zoning Code Compliance  Water Resources and Utilities

Environmental Management Water Wise Irrigation OrdinanceWater Wise Irrigation Ordinance Education, Awareness, Outreach Aquifer Monitoring

Education, Awareness, Outreach   Pamphlets/Flyers  Community Events  Public Workshops

 Watering Days Link - Detailed  Watering Days Flyer  Water Conservation Ordinance  25 Ways to Save Water  Rain Sensor Pamphlet  Water Wise Landscape Ordinance  Florida Friendly Landscaping  Sole Source Aquifer Description  Groundwater Report

Water Wise Landscape Ordinance  Limits the amount of High & Medium Volume Irrigation  Irrigation Permitting and Inspecting conducted by Department of Health  Staff is identifying potential improvements to the ordinance

Aquifer Monitoring – Data Collection  Monitoring Well Network (42- wells)  Rainfall Stations in DeLand and Daytona Beach  Blue Springs  Keetch-Byram Drought Index

Water Conservation Ordinance  Sets days and times of permitted watering  Daylight savings time – two days per week  Standard time – one day per week

WATER WATCH Water Watch is part of the Code Compliance Activity and two officers are dedicated to water restriction enforcement. These officers patrol unincorporated Volusia County as well as certain incorporated areas of Deltona and DeBary that are served by Volusia County utilities. From July 1, 2009 – Jan 1, 2010 Water Watch provided countywide watering education and issued 796 warnings. Water Watch Officers have attended HOA meetings, posted door hangers, passed out magnets, brochures, and provided other educational material to residents and business owners in an effort to educate them about watering restrictions and the County’s increased effort for conservation.

From Jan 1, 2010 – September 1, 2010 Water Watch staff issued 632 warnings and 99 citations. Currently, the Water Watch staff is issuing citations for observed watering violations.

Water Usage Trends after Changes Made to the Irrigation Ordinance and Rate Structure  Council amended the irrigation ordinance May 2009  Council amended the conservation rate structure July 2009, increased to $10 per 1000 gallons for usage over 21,000 gallons per month  Increased rates implemented in August, 2009

Water Usage Trends for High Water Users (usage over 21,000 gallons per month)  Oct 2008 thru June 2009 (before increase) – Avg. of 660 customers using more than 21,000 gallons per month  Oct 2009 thru June 2010 (after increase) – Avg. of 500 customers using more than 21,000 gallons per month

System Wide Water Usage  3.48 million gallons per day before rate increase Usage over 21,000 represents 7.1% of total  3.07 million gallons per day after rate increase Usage over 21,000 represents 5.6% of total Usage over 21,000 represents 5.6% of total  Overall Reduction of 12%

Reclaimed Water Program  County has required the installation of dry line reclaimed water systems in residential / commercial development since the mid 1990’s  County began providing reclaimed water service in 2001  Extension of reclaimed water transmission mains to serve dry line systems has occurred as the reclaimed water supply allowed (requires 4 to 5 sewer customers for each reclaimed water customer)

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