South Florida Adopts Year-Round Water Conservation Rule

Developed with input from water users across the region after more than two years and 30 public workshops, the rule limits irrigation of existing landscapes to two days per week, with some exceptions.

"South Florida residents and businesses have repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to water conservation and reduced their water use to cope with short-term adversity," said SFWMD Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle. "The year-round rule calls upon South Florida to make a long-term change that will help protect our water resources and provide water to sustain our environment and economy for future generations."

The Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule is designed to curb water use in South Florida, which is the highest in the state at an estimated 179 gallons per person per day. District officials estimate the rule can reduce water use by up to 10 percent.

Outdoor irrigation uses up to half of all drinkable water produced within the region. Up to 50 percent of the water applied to lawns is lost to evaporation and runoff with no benefit to the landscape, according to the district.

Lawn sprinklers in Florida (Photo by Jeffrey W. Scott)

"The year-round rule reflects the broad consensus among a wide range of stakeholders that we must act now to ensure a sustainable supply of water for South Florida's communities and environment well into the future," said SFWMD Governing Board member Michael Collins, who facilitated the development of the rule through the District's Water Resources Advisory Commission.

"The conservation measures outlined in the rule will provide meaningful returns and significantly reduce the amount of water devoted to landscape irrigation, which is the single largest use of household water in South Florida," Collins said.

The district has entered the 2009-2010 dry season with caution as water levels have begun falling after average wet-season rains. South Florida received only 1.16 inches of rain in October, the fourth-driest total for the month in the region according to district records dating back to 1932.

Under the new rule, no irrigation will be allowed on any day between 10 am and 4 pm.

While most counties can only irrigate two days a week, a provision in the rule allows for three-day-a-week irrigation in counties south of Lake Okeechobee, including Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.

Irrigation using reclaimed water, rain harvesting systems and various low-volume methods, such as micro-irrigation, container watering and hand watering with a hose and automatic shut-off nozzle, is not subject to restrictions.

Additional watering is allowed for up to 90 days following the installation of new lawns and landscaping.

The District may grant variances for "smart" irrigation technologies described in Senate Bill 2080, passed by the Florida Legislature this year.

Local governments may adopt more stringent landscape irrigation ordinances at their discretion, based on local water demands, system limitations or resource availability, such as the two-day-a-week ordinances implemented by Lee and Miami-Dade counties in 2005 and 2009, respectively, and being proposed by Broward County.

By reducing landscape irrigation, the district estimates implementation of the year-round rule may reduce overall potable water demand by five to 10 percent. That estimate is based on a recent SFWMD study of regional demand reductions experienced during the 2007-2009 water shortage.

The 44 largest utilities in the district saved an estimated 138 million gallons of water per day over a six month period during the emergency water shortage compared to usage before the water shortage.

Among its many benefits, district officials say water conservation may save taxpayers money by reducing demand for water and allowing utilities and local governments to defer or possibly avoid costs associated with construction of new public water supply facilities, including development of expensive alternative water supplies.

In addition, less frequent watering helps condition lawns to develop deeper, stronger roots, creating a healthier, more drought-tolerant lawn that can better respond to dry times.

The Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule is a component of the District's Comprehensive Water Conservation Program, approved by the Governing Board in September 2008. Numerous stakeholders worked with the district to define specific regulatory, voluntary and incentive-based programs and in-depth education and marketing plans that will help foster a year-round conservation ethic.

For details on the Comprehensive Water Conservation Program and water conservation tips, please visit www.savewaterfl.com. More information about the Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule is available at www.sfwmd.gov/2days.

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