Volusia County’s Water Conservation Programs

Presentation to The Blue Spring Working GroupSeptember 9, 2010

CONTACT INFORMATION

Tom Carey

County of Volusia - Environmental Management

Pollution Control Program Manager

123 W. Indiana Ave.

DeLand, FL 32720

(386) 736-5927 ext. 2073

 tcarey@co.volusia.fl.us

It is much easier and less expensive to save water than it is to find new supplies.

- J.I. Palmer

US EPA

History of Water Conservation

Comprehensive water conservation education and outreach program

July 1989, 1st water conservation ordinance

July 2004, landscape irrigation ordinance (Water Wise)

May 2009, ticketing authority for water violations

August 2009, Utility water conservation rate increase

Typical Residential Usage

Source: “Water Conservation and Use”, Amy Vickers

Target for water conservation

Water Conservation in Volusia County

Task Team Approach: Environmental

Management Building and Zoning

Code Compliance Water Resources and

Utilities

Environmental Management

• Water Wise Irrigation Ordinance

• Education, Awareness, Outreach

• Aquifer Monitoring

Education, Awareness, Outreach

www.volusia.org/water Pamphlets/Flyers Community Events Public Workshops

WWW.VOLUSIA.ORG/WATER Watering Days Link - Detailed Watering Days Flyer Water Conservation Ordinance 25 Ways to Save Water Rain Sensor Pamphlet Water Wise Landscape Ordinance Florida Friendly Landscaping Sole Source Aquifer Description Groundwater Report

Water Wise Landscape Ordinance

Limits the amount of High & Medium Volume Irrigation

Irrigation Permitting and Inspecting conducted by Department of Health

Staff is identifying potential improvements to the ordinance

Aquifer Monitoring – Data Collection

Monitoring Well Network (42-wells)

Rainfall Stations in DeLand and Daytona Beach

Blue Springs

Keetch-Byram Drought Index

Water Conservation Ordinance

Sets days and times of permitted watering

Daylight savings time – two days per week

Standard time – one day per week

WATER WATCH

Water Watch is part of the Code Compliance Activity and two officers are dedicated to water restriction enforcement.

These officers patrol unincorporated Volusia County as well as certain incorporated areas of Deltona and DeBary that are served by Volusia County utilities.

From July 1, 2009 – Jan 1, 2010 Water Watch provided countywide watering education and issued 796 warnings.

Water Watch Officers have attended HOA meetings, posted door hangers, passed out magnets, brochures, and provided other educational material to residents and business owners in an effort to educate them about watering restrictions and the County’s increased effort for conservation.

From Jan 1, 2010 – September 1, 2010 Water Watch staff issued 632 warnings and 99 citations.

Currently, the Water Watch staff is issuing citations for observed watering violations.

Water Usage Trends after Changes Made to the Irrigation Ordinance and Rate Structure

Council amended the irrigation ordinance May 2009

Council amended the conservation rate structure July 2009, increased to $10 per 1000 gallons for usage over 21,000 gallons per month

Increased rates implemented in August, 2009

Water Usage Trends for High Water Users (usage over 21,000 gallons per month)

Oct 2008 thru June 2009 (before increase) – Avg. of 660 customers using more than 21,000 gallons per month

Oct 2009 thru June 2010 (after increase) – Avg. of 500 customers using more than 21,000 gallons per month

System Wide Water Usage

3.48 million gallons per day before rate increaseUsage over 21,000 represents 7.1% of total

3.07 million gallons per day after rate increase

Usage over 21,000 represents 5.6% of total

Overall Reduction of 12%

Reclaimed Water Program

County has required the installation of dry line reclaimed water systems in residential / commercial development since the mid 1990’s

County began providing reclaimed water service in 2001

Extension of reclaimed water transmission mains to serve dry line systems has occurred as the reclaimed water supply allowed (requires 4 to 5 sewer customers for each reclaimed water customer)

ZZ

ZZ

Z

ZZ

Z

The End…

VOLUSIA.ORG/WATER