Water Conservation Regulatory Tools: Existing & Planned Marjorie G. Craig, P.E. Director, Water Supply Department South Florida Water Management District February 28, 2008 Marjorie G. Craig, P.E. Director, Water Supply Department South Florida Water Management District February 28, 2008

Stakeholders - Our District Partners

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 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) 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) Golf Courses & Landscaping

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 50% of water use is for landscape irrigation

History 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 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 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 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?