40C-21.051. Definitions

When used in this chapter:

(1) “Agricultural Uses” are water uses associated with the production and freeze protection of crops, nursery products, sod, and pasture, as well as the cultivation of animals and plants associated with farming and aquacultural activities.

(2) “Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Uses” are water uses associated with the production of goods or provision of services by a commercial, industrial, or institutional establishment.

(3) “Drought Indicator” is a quantified assessment of the condition of a water supply or resource.

(4) “Drought Condition Level” is the level of drought or other water shortage being experienced, based on the status of Drought Indicators. There are four levels: Moderate, Severe, Extreme, and Critical.

(5) “Environmental Uses” is the use of water to avoid or mitigate environmental harm, such as, enhancing, restoring, or creating wetlands or other surface waters, or the use of water for groundwater remediation.

(6) “Essential Uses” is the classification category for water uses associated with maintaining public health, safety, or welfare, including the operation of military facilities, power generation facilities, hospital and other medical facilities, medical equipment and fire suppression equipment.

(7) “Indoor Uses” are water uses associated with domestic and similar non-domestic needs. Domestic needs include drinking, bathing, cooking, cleaning and necessary sanitary purposes in a household environment. Similar non-domestic needs include drinking, bathing, and necessary sanitary activities outside of the household environment, such as in customer or employee restrooms.

(8) “Landscape Irrigation” means the outside watering of plants in a landscape such as shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens and other such flora that are situated in such diverse locations as residential areas, public, commercial, and industrial establishments, and public medians and rights-of-way, but it does not include agricultural crops, nursery plants, cemeteries, golf course greens, tees, fairways, primary roughs, and vegetation associated with recreational areas such as playgrounds, football, baseball, and soccer fields.

(9) “Landscape/Recreation/Aesthetic Uses” are water uses associated with landscape irrigation, including water to irrigate cemeteries; the use of water associated with the creation, maintenance, and operation of recreational facilities such as golf courses, water-based recreational areas, and athletic fields; or the use of water for ornamental or decorative purposes, such as fountains and waterfalls.

(10) “Micro-Irrigation” is the frequent application of small quantities of water on or below the soil surface as drops or tiny streams of spray through emitters or applicators placed along a water delivery line. Micro-irrigation includes a number of methods or concepts such as bubbler, drip, trickle, mist or microspray, and subsurface irrigation.

(11) “Mining/Dewatering Uses” are the uses of water associated with the extraction of subsurface materials or to control surface water or groundwater when performing activities such as construction or excavation.

(12) “Mobile Equipment” means any public, private or commercial automobile, truck, trailer, railroad car, camper, boat, or any other type of similar equipment.

(13) “Other Water Uses” are all other water uses not specifically included in rule 40C-21.551, F.A.C., including augmentation of natural or man-made surface water bodies; swimming pools and other water-based non-commercial recreation; cleaning or Pressure Washing of structures, driveways, sidewalks and other impervious surfaces; and wetting roads and other surfaces for dust control or fire suppression when required by federal, state or local standards.

(14) “Pressure Washing” means the use of pressurized water for cleaning purposes, by means of equipment accepted by industry standards. Industry standards specifically include a self-canceling or automatic nozzle, water pressure at a minimum of 1,000 p.s.i. (pounds per square inch), and water volume at a maximum of five (5) gallons per minute.

(15) “Public Supply” is water provided by any municipality, county, regional or multijurisdictional water supply authority, special district, or public or privately-owned water utility for human consumption and other purposes, including water used for maintaining and operating the supply system. For purposes of this Chapter, “Public Supply” means the same as “Water Utility.”

(16) “Source class” means the water resource from which a user is obtaining water either directly or indirectly. Source classes within the District are specified in rule 40C-21.531, F.A.C.

(17) “Use Class” means the category describing the purpose for which the user is utilizing water. Use classes used in this Chapter are specified in rule 40C-21.551, F.A.C.

(18) “Water Shortage” means a drought or other situation within all or part of a specifically defined geographic area of the District when insufficient water is or will be available to meet the present and anticipated needs of users, or when conditions are such as to require temporary reduction in total use within a particular area to protect water resources from serious harm.

(19) “Water Shortage Emergency” means a Water Shortage for which a determination has been made that water shortage procedures which can be exercised under part II of chapter 40C-21, F.A.C., are not sufficient to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, or the health of animals, fish or aquatic life, or a public water supply, or meet the needs of commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational or other reasonable uses.

(20) “Water Shortage Plan” or “Plan” means the Water Shortage Plan authorized in section 373.246, F.S., and contained in this chapter.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113 FS. Law Implemented 373.175, 373.246 FS. History–New 1-1-84, Amended 8-23-18.