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Discussion Regarding Ordinance No. 2010-15 Relating to Watering Restrictions
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
On July 27, 2010, the BOCC approved Ordinance No. 2010-15 which enacted a one day a week watering restriction for the County. The purpose of that ordinance was to promote long-term sustainability of the water supplies of the Hernando County through water use efficiency during times when no water shortage has been declared. The measures contained in the ordinance were intended to reduce wasteful irrigation practices and encourage lawn and landscape drought conditioning. Prior to the Board enacting this ordinance, the County was exceeding its water use permit limits with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and was over-pumping, using as much as 185 gallons per capita per day. The current per capita limit imposed by SWFWMD is 150 gallons per day.
The one day per week watering restrictions has enabled the County to reduce water use in order to comply with the SWFWMD water use permit. However, the County’s current water use has been increasing rapidly since 2018. In 2018, the County’s per capita rate was at 123 gallons per day. As of 2023, the County’s per capita rate had increased to 136 gallons per day. In studying the County’s per capita rate on new homes in newly constructed subdivisions, the average per capita rate for new homes is currently 170 gallons per day. This data suggests that the increasing trend in the County’s residential water use could continue, even with the one day per week watering restriction.
As directed by the Board, staff has prepared a presentation on the County’s water use permit with SWFWMD and the current one day a week watering restrictions, along with the effects of expanding those restrictions to two days per week.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
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LEGAL NOTE
The Board has authority to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board, on behalf of the Hernando County Water and Sewer District, review and discuss the presentation on the County’s water use permit with SWFWMD and the current one day per week watering restrictions.