Orange County Utilities Water Conservation Ordinance Adoption Public
Orange County Utilities Water Conservation Ordinance Adoption Public Hearing Presented to: Orange County Board of County Commissioners May 20, 2008
Presentation Content § Background § Reasons to Update Existing Conservation Ordinance § Stakeholder Participation, Process, and Issues § Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Summary § Final Recommendations
Background Water Resources Program Reclaimed Water Groundwater Supply Conservation Aquifer Recharge Stormwater Surface Water Supply
Background Water Conservation Program § Water conservation program since late 1980 s § Passed Ordinance in 1993 – Modeled after the St. Johns River WMD’s rule of 1991 § In 2001 a water shortage order issued by Districts – Two-day per week watering restrictions § In 2006 St. Johns River WMD amended rule – Compliance and enforcement issues
Background Program Objectives § Modify behaviors and practices that lead to more efficient water use § Improve and/or take advantage of new technologies to reduce water consumption § Three components – – – Education programs Incentive programs Regulatory programs Education Incentive Regulatory
Background Per Capita Water Use
Background Reclaimed Water • 100% beneficial reuse since 1985 for irrigation, industrial, wetlands and recharge • 48 mgd in 2007 • Largest reuse program in Florida • Reclaimed water used for irrigation is a direct off-set of potable water use • 18. 5 mgd for public and agricultural irrigation
Background Incentive Programs § Toilet retrofit programs § Pre-rinse Spray Valve Program § Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL) Audit § Low-Flow Fixture Program Total 19 million gallons 48 million gallons 31 million gallons 19 million gallons 117 million gallons Represents Enough Water for 2500 people annually
Background Water Supply Status § SJRWMD CUP in 2006 and SFWMD in 2007 – Allocation to meet projected demands through 2013 – Additional demands after 2013 to be met by other sources – Maximize use of all available reclaimed water and conservation measures
Presentation Content § Background § Reasons to Update Existing Conservation Ordinance § Stakeholder Process, Participation and Issues § Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Summary § Final Recommendations
Rationale for Update Conservation Ordinance § 1993 Orange County ordinance is dated § Water use patterns in Orange County have changed § New conservation measures offer increased savings § Sustainability of current water supply § Need for consistency • • Conflicting district rules “U” Pick Watering Day § Need ability to enforce
Background Water Use Profile 130 gpd/capita
Presentation Content § Background § Reasons to Update Existing Conservation Ordinance § Stakeholder Process, Participation and Issues § Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Summary § Final Recommendations
Stakeholder Participation § Professional Resource Group § Home Builders Association § Florida Irrigation Society § Irrigation Focus Group § Orange County Homeowners’ Association Alliance § Agriculture Advisory Board § Development Advisory Board § Local Planning Agency
Stakeholder Process § Meetings § Workshops § Field visits § Teleconferences
Stakeholder Issues § Home Builders Association – – Develop more technology to save water e. g. ET systems Address the HOA requirements to use only St. Augustine grass § Florida Irrigation Society – Develop and implement landscaping standards and initiate stricter requirements through the permitting process § OC Homeowners’ Association Alliance – – Retrofitting requirements Concerns about maintenance of large common areas within the guidelines
Stakeholder Issues § Agricultural Advisory Board – – Impact on day-to-day operations Exemption Language § Development Advisory Board – – Professional landscaper requirement to perform work - how does that impact everyday homeowners? Regulation of car washes and personal vehicle washing § Local Planning Agency – – – Impact to agricultural community 1 -day per week irrigation requirement Regulation on outdoor water features
Stakeholder Issues § St. Johns River Water Management District – Applicability to all water users
Stakeholder Issues Resolution § The majority of the issues are addressed in the ordinance § Put together an Irrigation Focus Group – White paper has been written by this Focus Group § Future Actions as recommended by the stakeholders: – Development of Landscaping Ordinance – Permitting requirements associated with irrigation standards and BMP – Studies on new technologies available • University of Florida – Working with Districts to implement 1 -day per week irrigation scheduling
Presentation Content § Background § Reasons to Update Existing Conservation Ordinance § Stakeholder Process, Participation and Issues § Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Summary § Final Recommendations
Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Section 37 -601 (Intent of the Ordinance) § Section 37 -602 (Applicability) – – Applicable throughout Orange County except in municipalities that have adopted an ordinance Applies to all water uses except reclaimed water § Section 37 -603 (Definitions)
Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § The main improvement that can achieve water savings – Section 37 -604 – Year-round, maximum two-day-per-week irrigation schedule: – Odd (Wednesday and Saturday) – Even and common areas (Thursday and Sunday)
Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Section 37 -605 Irrigation systems; Application of Water – – Only one form of irrigation allowed per area Turf areas on separate irrigation zones Landscape areas 4 ft. or less restricted to micro-irrigation Clearly stated no retrofit is required
Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Section 37 -606 Irrigation system installation and maintenance – – – Design or construction of irrigation systems by a licensed professional which includes landscape architects Maintenance required if water is being wasted Irrigation systems much be equipped with functional rain sensor Irrigation systems installed after July 20, 2008 for golf courses, playing fields, public recreation areas must be equipped with functional soil moisture sensors. Watering guidelines
Rationale for Update Conservation Ordinance HOA road median overspray (and driving hazard)
Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Section 37 -607 Miscellaneous – Carwashes constructed after this ordinance is adopted shall use only recycled water systems § Section 37 -608 Exemptions – – – All users with consumptive use permits from districts Any bona fide farm operation Reclaimed water for irrigation Maintenance and repairs purposes Handheld hoses with automatic shut-off nozzle Fund-raising or charity car washes with handheld hoses
Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Section 37 -609 (Variances) – – Anyone is allow to request a variance Approved through Utilities processes § Section 37 -610 (Violations; penalties and remedies) – Code enforcement process § Section 37 -611 (Water Shortages)
Presentation Content § Background § Reasons to Update Existing Conservation Ordinance § Stakeholder Process, Participation and Issues § Proposed Enhancements to Existing Conservation Ordinance § Summary § Final Recommendations
Summary § Immediate Water Savings § Allows for Enforcement § Improves Irrigation System Efficiency § Maximizes Existing Water Supplies § Delays the need for Alternative Water Sources § Future Modifications to Ordinance will be needed
Recommended Action § Adoption of Proposed Revisions to Orange County Code Chapter 37, Article XVIII, Water Conservation Ordinance
- Slides: 30