Item 8AAGENDA ITEM # 8A
FEBRUARY 23, 2009
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: New Irrigation Restrictions
SUBMITTED BY: Donna Kaluzniak, Utility Director
DATE: February 13, 2009
BACKGROUND: On March 8, 2009, a new landscape watering rule will take effect. This rule
was passed by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), and our City Code
Section 22-39 states that the City will restrict water use as directed by the SJRWMD. Below is a
summary of the rule:
• Never imgate between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Irrigation is limited to no more than 3/a" per zone per irrigation day.
• Irrigation is limited to no more than one hour per zone per irrigation day.
• During Eastern Standard Time (fall and winter), irrigation is limited to One Day per Week.
Irrigation days are specified-
o Saturday -Residential at odd numbered addresses or no address
o Sunday -Residential at even numbered addresses
o Tuesday -Non-residential
• During Daylight Saving Time (spring and summer), imgation is limited to Two Days per
Week.
o Wednesday and Saturday -Residential at odd numbered addresses or no address
o Thursday and Sunday -Residential at even numbered addresses
o Tuesday and Friday -Non-residential
As always, there are some exceptions:
• Irrigation using micro-spray, micro jet or drip irrigation is allowed any time, any day.
• Irrigation systems may be operated for repair or maintenance at any time, but no longer than
20 minutes per hour per zone.
• Watering in of chemicals is allowed at any time within 24 hours of application. Watering is
not allowed to exceed '/4" of water per application unless otherwise required by law, the
chemical manufacturer, or best management practices.
• A Standard General Permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District is required to
irrigate in a manner different than authorized by the rule.
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
FEBRUARY 23, 2009
BUDGET: No City expenses incurred, however, additional water restrictions may affect revenues.
RECOMMENDATION: Encourage compliance with the new irrigation rule.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Memorandum from St. Johns River Water Management District dated
January 21, 2009.
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
2
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
FEBRUARY 23, 2009
•
~~ ~~~~
_ _ __
mater Mariag~nlerit district
Kirby B. Green Ili, Executive Director • David W. Fisk, Assistant Executive Director
4049 Reid Street • P.O. Box 1429 • Palatka, FL 32178-1429 • (386) 329-4500
On the Internet at www!sjrwmd.com.
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 21, 2009
TO: Elected officials, city/county managers, public works, water supply utilities
FROM: Jeff Cole, Director, Office of Communications and Governmental Affair • -
SURJF.CT: Irrigation ordinances
To enhance water conservation, the St. Johns River Water Management District's Governing
Board approved amendments to the District's landscape irrigation rule 40-C-2.042, Florida
Administrative Code (F.A.C.). The amended rule limits landscape irrigation to no more than two
days a week during Daylight Saving Time and no more than one day a week during Eastern
Standard Time. Other key provisions include an irrigation schedule using an odd/even/no address
system; no irrigation between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; irrigation limits of three-quarters of an inch of
water per zone per scheduled irrigation day and no more than one hour per irrigation zone per
scheduled irrigation day. Some exceptions are included in the amended rule, such as the use of
reclaimed water. The amended rule applies districtwide and will become effective March 8, 2009.
A summary of the amended rule is available at www.sjrwnzd.c~m,/wateringrestrictions.
In our work together to increase water conservation, the District needs the assistance of local
governments in implementing the provisions of the amended rule through adoption of ordinances
that are consistent with the rule. Although the Florida Legislature has provided that water
management districts have preemptive and exclusive authority to regulate consumptive uses of
water in section 373.217, Florida Statutes (F.S.), the Legislature has also provided the authority in
section 373.609, F.S., for Ioca1 governments, upon request by the District, to assist in the
enforcement of District rules. Therefore, in its amended rule, the District has authorized local
governments to enforce the District's landscape irrigation rule by the adoption of an ordinance
incorporating the provisions of the District's rule. If you currently have a landscape irrigation
ordinance in place, please amend the ordinance to incorporate the provisions of the District's
amended landscape irrigation rule, 4OC-2.O42(2)(a), F.A.C. Please note that a landscape irrigation
ordinance may not contain provisions that are more lenient than the provisions set forth in the
District's landscape irrigation rule. Additionally, provisions that are more restrictive are not
authorized in an ordinance regulating the landscape irrigation of the general population within a
local government's jurisdiction.
To assist you in this effort, the District has developed a model ordinance that incorporates all the
necessary provisions. The model ordinance is available at www.sjrwrnd.comlwateringrestricti~ns.
If your local government chooses to adopt an ordinance, please submit the proposed ordinance to
the District at least 30 days prior to adoption. If you contact us when you begin the ordinance
___ -_---- ----- ._. ___~ __ __.._ __ .. . __._ _ . _- G O V E tq N I N G B O A p D - _ -_--_-- ____ - _ _ _ _~ _.. _ ..___
Susan N. Hughes, CHAIRMAN W. Leonard Wood, VICE CHAiRAiAN Hersey "Nerky' Huffman, sErxu mnr Hans G. Tanzlcr III, TREASUH[R
PONTC VEDRA FCRNANDINA BEACH ENTERPRISC JACKSONVILLE
Douglas C. eournique Michael Ertel David G. Graham Arlen N. Jumper Ann T. Moore
VFRO BEACH O17FOO ,IACK.SOHVIt t F FORT NcCOV BIMHFI I
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
FEBRUARY 23, 2009
development process, our staff is available to work with you to ensure consistency with the
District's rule.
For assistance with your ordinance or if you have questions, please contact Geoff Sample,
intergovernmental coordinator, at {904) 448-7904 or gsample@sjrwmd.com. Please forward draft
ordinances to Geoff for review either by e-mail or by mail to the St. Johns River Water
Management District, 7775 Baymeadows Way, Suite 102, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
We appreciate your cooperation in implementing the landscape irrigation rule amendments.
Together, we can ensure water use efficiency and assist in meeting our water supply needs.