Introduction


Plants


Trees


Lawns


Irrigation

St. Johns River Water Management District:

Proposed Lawn and Landscape Irrigation Rule Amendments

On Aug. 9, 2005, the Governing Board approved a Notice of Proposed Rule. The District will publish the proposed rule and will schedule a final rule adoption hearing, likely in October or November.

Overview

Lawn and landscape irrigation can account for more than 50 percent of total water use at residential and commercial locations. To ensure efficient and effective use of water for lawn and landscape irrigation, the St. Johns River Water Management District is considering amending its permanent year-round rule regulating lawn and landscape irrigation.

The current districtwide rule allows lawn and landscape irrigation only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., with a few exceptions. The proposed rule amendments include the addition of a new permanent districtwide requirement limiting lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than two days per week.

At the August 2004 Governing Board meeting, District staff asked and received authorization to publish a Notice of Proposed Rule Development. The Notice was published in the "Florida Administrative Weekly" on Aug. 20, 2004. Public workshops were held in September and October, 2004. At the November 2004 Governing Board meeting, the Board approved revisions to the proposed rule amendments based on comments received at the workshops and comment letters. Also, the Board directed staff to implement an education campaign to inform the public about the proposed amendments. At the August 2005 Governing Board meeting, District staff asked and received authorization to publish a Notice of Proposed Rule. The District will publish the proposed rule and will schedule a final rule adoption hearing, likely in October or November.

According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, established Florida lawns and landscapes need watering only two to three times per week in the dry season. The proposed rule amendments, limiting irrigation to no more than twice a week, will be ample irrigation to keep nearly all landscapes healthy.

Efficient lawn and landscape irrigation is an important part of preserving and protecting water resources. More than 95 percent of water used for public supply in the St. Johns District comes from underground aquifers. Using too much groundwater can result in drying out wetlands, lowering lake levels, reducing spring flows and impairing water quality from saltwater intrusion. Many District programs are devoted to avoiding these unacceptable impacts to water resources. The proposed rule amendments are one way we can all help conserve water while maintaining our lawns and landscapes.

For more detailed information please visit their site at http://www.sjrwmd.com