Executive director,
South Florida Water Management District
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/05/04/a1e_iw_wehle_0504.html
A prolonged and widespread water shortage hardly can be described as a
lucky break. The impacts of below-average rainfall that began in 2006 have been
at times severe on
But even without rain clouds, there is a silver lining. Floridians are
paying close attention to water conservation, perhaps more than at any time in
recent memory. Because of emergency restrictions imposed on irrigation, we are
learning that yards and gardens can survive with less water, that
drought-tolerant plants are easy to maintain and that mulch not only holds in
moisture, it also cuts down on weeds.
And while irrigation restrictions do not apply to indoor water use, a
conservation mind-set is taking a hold inside, too. We are discovering that
turning off the faucet for teeth-brushing is not a hardship, that fixing leaky
fixtures makes economic sense and that doing full loads of laundry makes
housekeeping a little easier.
Residents have demonstrated their willingness to reduce water use
during times of adversity. But should it all go down the drain when the water
shortage is over? Hardly. The ongoing rainfall deficit
has presented an opportunity to change
With unprecedented awareness about the availability of regional water
supplies, we have a chance to reshape our culture toward one of year-round conservation.
Our communities are ready. They care about doing the right thing, about not
wasting resources and about protecting water for the environment. And they
expect sound decision-making for our future.
That is where the South Florida Water Management District's proposal
for a comprehensive and lasting water conservation program fits in. Developed
during the past five months with input from several dozen stakeholders -
including utilities, nursery associations, municipalities, agriculture,
developers and environmental groups - the program describes the rules,
incentives and education strategies necessary for an enduring culture of
conservation.
A key component of the comprehensive program took a step forward last
week with the first in a series of public workshops on a rule that would
permanently limit landscape irrigation in
The year-round landscape irrigation rule would limit watering
throughout the 16-county district to two days per week, determined by street
address, and prohibit all watering between
Similar to the emergency restrictions currently in place, the
year-round proposal would continue to allow hand watering and other types of
low-volume irrigation and provide expanded watering days for new plantings.
Likewise, it would not regulate car washing, boat rinsing, power-washing or
other non-landscape use, although voluntary conservation always will be
strongly encouraged.
Reclaimed water a concern
One element of the rule, which would have subjected the residential
and commercial use of reclaimed water to the same two-day watering
restrictions, drew considerable and understandable concern. We are listening to
our constituents' concerns about curbing reclaimed water use and recognize
that, with limited storage within the district's boundaries, application of
reclaimed water may provide more benefits for the environment than disposal.
Allowing more days for irrigation with reclaimed water may also create an
incentive for its expansion in our southeast counties, where the capacity to
reuse water is as high as 50 percent in some areas but as low as 5 percent in
others.
As we continue to work together to develop other alternative water
supplies, however, we must remain mindful that all resources are finite. Taking
a conservative approach with alternative supplies like the Floridan
Aquifer can provide for long-term solutions without creating new problems in
our future.
These year-round landscape irrigation measures, in line with
guidelines being considered by our neighboring water management districts in
southwest and northeast
An adjustment to year-round conservation measures may challenge those
who relied too long on the assumption that our water is available in endless
supply. The drought vividly reminded us that it is not, and it also reminds us
that it is time to make real and lasting changes for