Title
Adoption of Alachua County Irrigation Ordinance (B)
It is proposed that the City Commission adopt a resolution opting into Alachua County's Landscape Irrigation Ordinance (Ordinance 09-08). The resolution would allow Alachua County to enforce irrigation rules promulgated by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) within the City of Gainesville. This resolution will satisfy requirements put forth by the SJRWMD for the renewal of Consumptive Use Permit for the GRU water system.
Explanation
In order to promote water conservation, the SJRWMD has enacted district-wide landscape irrigation rules which apply to outdoor irrigation of residential and commercial landscaping. These restrictions specify the days of week for which irrigation is allowed and limit the allowable quantities of water applied. These restrictions apply to water that is derived from ground water, surface water, private wells, private pumps, public utilities and private utilities, but does not limit or restrict the use of reclaimed water.
GRU has promoted voluntary compliance with the SJRWMD restrictions. However, to date there has not been active enforcement of these restrictions in Alachua County. In October 2009, Alachua County adopted an ordinance providing for the local implementation of the landscape irrigation rules promulgated by the SJRWMD. This ordinance will allow Alachua County to enforce these rules within the unincorporated areas of Alachua County. Alachua County has requested that municipalities within the County opt into Ordinance 09-08 so that Alachua County can also enforce these rules within incorporated areas.
One of the conditions for the renewal of the Consumptive Use Permit for the GRU water system by the SJRWMD is that GRU work with Alachua County and the General Government of the City of Gainesville to adopt and enforce an ordinance implementing the SJRWMD landscape irrigation rules. This could be accomplished through either adopti...
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