Increased Attention on Florida Water Conservation

Increased Attention on Florida Water Conservation

The Five Water Management Districts (WMD) of Florida were created by the Florida Legislature through passage of the Water Resources Act of 1972 designed to help protect and manage water resources in a sustainable manner for welfare of the people.¹

Recently the St. John’s River WMD enhanced its water conservation efforts through the Water Conservation and Demand Management Program that seeks more aggressive water conservation measures than have been implemented in the past.³ The SJRWMD Governing Board is currently discussing a rulemaking initiative which will likely have a significant impact on grocery stores, retail stores, bottled beverages, and restaurants. They are scheduled to discuss the plan at the next SJRWMD Governing Board meeting scheduled for July 13, 2010. In addition to general consumption issues, the Board will focus on how the measures will affect irrigation system design and installation. Future discussion on more comprehensive changes is tentatively planned for September 2010.

All of the districts have their own water conservation rules in effect, but some also allow local governments to further regulate water use.² The Charlotte County Commission recently adopted a year-round water conservation ordinance to prevent water consumption overload during water shortage periods.⁴ The Homestead City Council, in Miami-Dade County, has gone so far as to adopt an ordinance to establish a water fixture retrofit program to encourage and provide incentives for installation of low flow water fixtures to increase water conservation among commercial and residential water utility customers.⁵

Do you agree with strict water conservation measures, or do you feel that local governments and water management districts are overstepping their authority by dictating how residences and businesses consume water? Do you think restrictive rules should differ between residential consumers and business consumers? Please comment and share your thoughts.

Listed below are more water conservation examples tracked by OrdinanceWatch™. Visit our website at www.OrdinanceWatch.com where you can sign up for advance notice of pending local government action email advisories.

• St. Johns River Water Management District to continue discussion of proposed amendments to the Water Conservation Rule
• Charlotte County, FL Adopts Year-Round Water Conservation Ordinance
• Clay County, FL Adopts Water Conservation Ordinance
• Port Orange, FL to Hold First Reading of Model Water Conservation Ordinance for Landscape Irrigation
• Homestead, FL Adopts Ordinance to Increase Water Conservation among Commercial and Residential Users

<sup>1. “Water Conservation.” Northwest Florida Water Management District. 1 July 2010. Web. 01 July 2010. <http://www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us/>.
2. District Water Restrictions.” Southwest Florida Water Management District Home Page. 1 July 2010. Web. 01 July 2010. <http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/restrictions/swfwmd.php>.
3. Site, Accessing This. “Floridaswater.com: Water Conservation: Home.” Floridaswater.com: Web Site of the St. Johns River Water Management District. 1 July 2010. Web. 01 July 2010. <http://sjr.state.fl.us/waterconservation/index.html>.
4.”BCC Agenda.” Official Government Website for Charlotte County FL Board of County Commissioners. 1 July 2010. Web. 01 July 2010. <http://www.charlottecountyfl.com/agenda/>.
5. “City Council.” City of Homestead. 1 July 2010. Web. 01 July 2010. <http://ci.homestead.fl.us/pages/city_hall/agendas.aspx>.</sup>

Who Should be Allowed to Landscape Stormwater Systems, and Will the Choice Affect Your Pocketbook?

The Legislature considered adopting Senate Bill 2606 that calls for the establishment of a task force to aid in the development of Stormwater Management System Design.  The Task Force would study the issue of whether: A) Landscape Architects, or B) Professional Engineers are appropriate for certain jobs.  The Task Force would become effective July 1, 2009 and expire on November 1, 2009, at which time they will be required to provide their findings to the House and the Senate.  If adopted, this bill would impact how Local Governments manage Stormwater issues.  Currently, the bill is still in Committee and will not be discussed further in the current Session, but the argument will not die.  ¹

 

Who Should be Allowed to Landscape Stormwater Systems, and Will the Choice Affect Your Pocketbook?

Belleview in Marion County, FL just held discussion on a Stormwater Management Draft Ordinance, which included input from local engineers.  One main component in the proposed ordinance would give the staff more flexibility in Stormwater management planning. ² Tallahassee in Leon County, FL is currently considering an ordinance regarding Stormwater retrofit projects, helping to improve the current Stormwater system.  ³ Sanford, FL in Seminole County just adopted Stormwater Utility Fee Rate Increases in January 2009 which will last for 5 years.  ⁴

Some would argue that allowing one group of professionals to provide the service may lead to people being injured due to bad design.  However, by opening the bidding process up to be more inclusive may bring the cost of Stormwater Management down.  If a standard level of training is required for all those submitting proposals for projects, is safety an issue?  Would you trust your County Commission to make the right decision or do you believe they would try to cut corners to pinch a few pennies?

The following are issues from the OrdinancWatch™ database relating to Stormwater Management:

• Belleview, FL to Hold Discussion of Stormwater Management Draft Ordinance
• Tallahassee, FL to Hold First and Only Public Hearing of Requirements for Government Stormwater Retrofit Projects
• Sanford, FL Approves Stormwater Utility Fee Rate Increase
• Ft. Myers, FL Adopts Resolution to Establish the Stormwater Fee

^{1. Senate 2606: Relating to Stormwater Management System Design.  (2009). Retrieved May 1, 2009, from The Florida Senate Web site: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/index.cfm?Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&Tab=session&BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&BillNum=2606&Chamber=Senate&Year=2009&Title=%2D%3EBill%2520Info%3AS%25202606%2D%3ESession%25202009}

^{2. City of Belleview. (2009). Retrieved May 1, 2009, from City of Belleview, FL Web site: http://www.belleviewfl.org/HomePage.htm}

^{3. City of Tallahassee Agenda. (2009). Retrieved May 1, 2009, from Talgov.com Web site: http://www.talgov.com/commission/meetings/index.cfm}

^{4. Sanford Florida Audio and Agendas. (2009). Retrieved May 1, 2009, from Sanford Florida Web site: http://www.sanfordfl.gov/audio-citycommission.aspx}