Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62 - Departmental › Chapter 62-40 - WATER RESOURCE IMPLEMENTATION RULE › Section 62-40.412 - Water Conservation

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) The overall
				water conservation goal of the state shall be to prevent and reduce wasteful,
				uneconomical, impractical, or unreasonable use of water resources. Conservation
				of water shall be required unless not economically, environmentally, or
				technically feasible.
(2) The
				Districts shall seek to accomplish this goal by:
(a) Assisting local governments, water supply
				utilities, regional water supply authorities, and other parties in designing
				and implementing plans and programs to conserve water. Such programs may
				include analyzing the effectiveness of particular water conservation
				measures.
(b) Coordinating with the
				Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the development of
				agricultural water conservation programs and best management practices pursuant
				to Section  570.085, F.S.
(c) Requiring efficient use of water. In
				determining efficiency requirements, the Districts shall consider the
				effectiveness of efficiency measures already being implemented, including
				whether a public water supply utility has achieved the per capita water use
				goal if such a goal is adopted by rule by the appropriate District, and the
				need for and feasibility of additional measures. Efficiency measures that shall
				be considered, but not necessarily required of each water user, include the
				following:
1. Programs and measures that
				promote or require efficient irrigation practices,
2. Imposition of year-round restrictions,
				which may include variances or exemptions, on particular irrigation activities
				or irrigation sources. If time of day watering restrictions are implemented,
				watering shall be restricted from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to the extent
				practical,
3. Minimization of
				unaccounted-for water losses,
4.
				The use of conservaton rate structures wherever practical. A District shall
				afford a utility wide latitude in adopting a rate structure, and shall limit
				its review to whether the utility has provided reasonable assurance that the
				rate structure contains a schedule of rates designed to promote efficient use
				of water by providing economic incentives. The District shall not fix or revise
				rates or rate structures. Such rates may be phased in over time,
5. The use of informative billing practices
				for utilities. Such practices may be phased in over time,
6. Accurate measurement and reporting of
				water use, including metering; and,
7. Promotion of water-conserving plumbing
				fixtures and appliances, water-efficient landscaping, and automatic rain
				sensors or soil moisture sensors.
(d) Considering incentives, such as longer
				term permits, greater certainty of supply during water shortages, and permit
				extensions, for permittees that implement conservation measures significantly
				beyond those required in the permitting process;
(e) Striving to achieve consistent water
				conservation requirements for water users in cities, counties or other
				political jurisdictions that fall within more than one District;
(f) Maintaining public information and
				education programs for long- and short-term water conservation goals;
(g) Including water conservation in regional
				water supply planning; and,
(h)
				Promoting the efficient and effective reuse of reclaimed water and recycling of
				stormwater and industrial wastewater through measures including regulation,
				incentives, public education, and technical assistance consistent with the
				provisions of Rule  62-40.416,
				F.A.C.