40A-21.621. Phase I: Moderate Water Shortage

A Phase I Water Shortage refers to a moderate shortage, whereby a reduction in overall user demand of up to 15 percent is necessary to achieve adequate protection of the water resource, and of the public health, safety, and welfare. In addition to the following restrictions, the Governing Board in consultation with District staff, shall when necessary, implement other restrictions to achieve the required percent reduction in overall demand.

(1) Aesthetic Use (Fountains, Pond Water Level Maintenance, etc.).

(a) Outside use of water for aesthetic purposes is prohibited.

(b) Voluntary reduction in the inside use of water for aesthetic purposes is encouraged.

(2) Agricultural Irrigation Use.

(a) Low volume irrigation is not restricted.

(b) Overhead irrigation, except by traveling volume gun, will be restricted to the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.

(c) Voluntary restrictions in the use of traveling volume gun irrigation systems is encouraged.

(d) Irrigation of, or preparation for, planting new nursery plants is allowed any time of day for one 30 day period provided irrigation is limited to the amount necessary for plant establishment.

(e) All irrigation systems will be operated in a manner that will maximize the amount of water placed and held in the root zone of the crop and will minimize the amount of water which is withdrawn and released or lost to the user but is not immediately available to other users.

(f) Chemigation shall be coordinated with the irrigation schedules.

(g) Watering in of chemicals, including insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, and herbicides, when required by law, the manufacturer, or best management practices, shall be coordinated with the irrigation schedules.

(h) The operation of irrigation systems for cleaning and maintenance purposes shall be limited to the minimum necessary to maintain efficient operation of the system and shall be limited to a maximum of once per week.

(i) Flood and seepage irrigation methods shall not have a tailwater discharge from the property.

(j) The voluntary use of other water conservation techniques is encouraged.

(3) Aquacultural Use.

Voluntary reduction in water use is encouraged.

(4) Aquifer Restoration Use.

The withdrawal of water shall be limited to the minimum necessary to efficiently operate the recovery system.

(5) Commercial Use.

(a) The use of fresh water shall be reduced to the greatest extent practicable by employing water conserving measures and water conserving devices.

(b) Off-site discharge shall be reduced or eliminated to the extent possible.

(c) Recycled water shall be used to replace fresh water wherever feasible.

(d) Clean-up requiring water use shall be reduced to the minimum required to protect the efficiency of the operation and prevent damage to equipment.

(e) Reduce or suspend the washing of vehicles except for health and safety needs.

(f) Voluntary reductions in water used in other commercial processes are encouraged.

(6) Dewatering Use. Discharge of fresh water to tide is prohibited.

(7) Diversion & Impoundment into Non-District Facility. Voluntary reductions in diversions are encouraged.

(8) Domestic Use. Voluntary reduction of household domestic use to 60 gallons per person per day is encouraged.

(9) Essential Use.

(a) The use of water for firefighting and health or medical purposes is not restricted.

(b) Fire hydrant flushing and testing is restricted to that necessary for the protection of human health, safety, and welfare.

(c) Sanitary sewer line flushing and testing will be restricted on a voluntary basis.

(10) Freeze Protection. Water use is limited to situations in which official weather forecast services predict freezing temperatures likely to cause permanent damage to crops.

(11) Golf Course Irrigation Use.

(a) Irrigation of greens and tees shall be reduced to the maximum extent practicable and shall be accomplished during non-daylight hours.

(b) Irrigation of fairways, roughs, and non-play areas on the front one half of the course(s) shall be restricted to the hours of 12:00 midnight to 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

(c) Irrigation of fairways, roughs, and non-play areas on the back one half of the course(s) shall be restricted to the hours of 12:00 midnight to 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

(d) Irrigation of seeded or sprigged areas that have been in place for less than thirty days shall be allowed daily for 10 minutes per irrigation zone from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

(e) Reduce or suspend as possible, those horticultural practices which stimulate the need for increased irrigation.

(f) Chemigation shall be coordinated with the irrigation schedules.

(g) Watering in of chemicals, including insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, and herbicides, when required by law, the manufacturer, or best management practices, shall be coordinated with the irrigation schedules.

(h) The operation of irrigation systems for cleaning and maintenance purposes shall be limited to the minimum necessary to maintain efficient operation of the system and shall be limited to a maximum of once per week.

(12) Heating and Cooling Use.

(a) The use of water is restricted to that necessary to maintain temperatures no colder than 68 degrees and no warmer than 78 degrees.

(b) Discharge of water from heating or cooling systems shall be limited to pervious surfaces.

(13) Industrial Process and Perishable Food Processing Uses. Voluntary reduction in water used in industrial processes is encouraged.

(14) Landscape Irrigation and Recreation Area Irrigation Use.

(a) Irrigation of new landscape (installed less than 30 days) is restricted to the hours of 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday.

(b) Irrigation of established landscape at locations with odd numbered addresses is restricted to the hours of 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

(c) Irrigation of established landscape at locations with even numbered addresses or with no address is restricted to the hours of 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

(d) Low volume watering of new and established landscaping is not restricted, but should be voluntarily reduced.

(e) Chemigation shall be coordinated with irrigation schedules.

(f) Watering in of chemicals, including insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, and herbicides, when required by law, the manufacturer, or best management practices, shall be coordinated with the irrigation schedules.

(g) The operation of irrigation systems for cleaning and maintenance shall be limited to the minimum necessary to maintain efficient operation of the system and shall be limited to a maximum of once per week.

(15) Livestock Use and Other Animal Use. Voluntary reduction in water use is encouraged.

(16) Mining Use.

(a) Impounded surface water shall be used to replace fresh water withdrawals wherever possible.

(b) Spraying for dust control shall be reduced to the minimum required for health and safety.

(c) Closed pipes shall be utilized for conveying water where feasible.

(17) Navigation Use. Requests may be made for additional releases from upstream impoundments.

(18) Nursery Irrigation Use (Non-agricultural).

(a) Voluntary reduction of water use by low volume irrigation methods (e.g., micro-irrigation) is encouraged.

(b) Overhead irrigation of nursery plants is restricted to the hours of 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. seven days a week.

(c) Chemigation shall be coordinated with the irrigation schedules.

(d) Watering in of chemicals, including insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, and herbicides, when required by law, the manufacturer, or best management practices, shall be coordinated with the irrigation schedules.

(e) The operation of irrigation systems for cleaning and maintenance purposes shall be limited to the minimum necessary to maintain efficient operation of the system and shall be limited to a maximum of once per week.

(f) The use of flooding for irrigation purposes shall be limited to 8 days per month.

(19) Other Outside Uses.

(a) Washing or cleaning of streets, driveways, sidewalks, and other impervious surfaces is prohibited, except to meet federal, state or local health or safety standards.

(b) Non-commercial vehicle and mobile equipment washing is allowed on pervious surfaces only, during landscape irrigation hours, by low volume methods only.

(c) Washing boats that serve as a primary residence shall be restricted to the hours and days prescribed for existing landscape irrigation. Boats with an odd slip number shall be permitted to be washed on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Boats with an even slip number or no slip number shall be permitted to be washed on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

(d) Rinsing of boats and flushing of boat engines after use shall be limited to ten minutes a day.

(e) Outside pressure cleaning is allowed, using low volume processes only, seven days per week.

(20) Power Production Use.

(a) To the greatest extent practicable, power production from facilities utilizing the water source experiencing the shortage should be minimized while maximizing the use of facilities dependent on less affected water sources.

(b) Non-essential uses of water, plant cleaning, and water-cooled air conditioning shall be reduced or eliminated to the greatest extent possible.

(c) Power companies should encourage customers to reduce power consumption, so that they may reduce power generation, and in turn, reduce water consumption.

(d) Voluntary reductions in other water uses is encouraged.

(21) Public Supply Use.

(a) Initial pressure at the point of use (meter) will be reduced by 15% where it is operationally feasible to do so. Prior to the reduction of pressure, the utility will notify the appropriate firefighting agencies and make arrangements for direct communication when additional pressure is required.

(b) Utilities shall institute, as appropriate, conservation measures such as improving and accelerating leak detection surveys and repair programs, and installing and calibrating meters.

(c) New water line flushing and disinfection shall be limited to minimum requirements.

(22) Sanitation and Other Public Supply Uses. Voluntary reduction in water use by 15% is encouraged.

(23) Soil Flooding Use.

(a) Flooding is prohibited for pest control and soil preservation.

(b) Voluntary reductions in water used for sod-flooding to permit harvesting is encouraged.

(24) Water Based Recreation Use.

(a) Filling is permitted for new and existing facilities, but should be voluntarily reduced.

(b) Makeup water is permitted for new and existing facilities, but should be voluntarily reduced.

(c) Draining of facilities into sewers or onto impervious surfaces is prohibited.

(d) Voluntary reductions in water used for other aspects of Water based recreation is encouraged.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113 FS. Law Implemented 373.175, 373.246 FS. History–New 3-29-92.