FIS Central Florida Chapter

SJRWMD has proposed a new rule that will directly impact our industry. A second Governing Board meetings were held on November 9 and December 7, 2009 where this agenda item was discussed. Typically this item would have been voted and probably passed at this point but due to the input by some irrigation professionals the Board and Director has requested additional time for consideration of the proposed rule. We, as an industry, now have additional opportunity to impact this policy’s development.

A summary of the rule is as follows:

Goal of Rule – Limit the design/installation and use of high-volume, in-ground irrigation systems for residential landscape irrigation.

Proposed Provisions – Rule would set design and use limits on residential high-volume, in-ground irrigation systems. Specifically, the rule would limit the design and use of in-ground irrigation of residential landscape as follows:
* No more than 60% of the landscapeable portion of a lot (up to a maximum of 1/2 acre) shall be irrigated via an in-ground irrigation system.
* No more than 60% of the irrigated portion of a lot shall be irrigated using high-volume irrigation.
* All irrigation systems shall be built to achieve 70% Distribution Uniformity.

Analysis (SJRWMD) – A significant portion of the use of water associated with public water supply utilities is for the irrigation of urban landscape, particularly landscape associated with residential development. In many cases, this use of water amounts to more than 50% of water use by residential users. The use of high volume in-ground irrigation systems has been identified as a major factor associated with large-scale landscape irrigation water use due to the fact that they often cover most of a residential lot, are often improperly designed and installed, and that they operate in a largely automated manner that, if improperly set, over-irrigates. In order to limit the amount of water needed for residential landscape irrigation, the rule would set limits on the amount of landscape that can be irrigated using high-volume, in-ground irrigation systems and would require appropriate irrigation head spacing uniformity.

I have presented an opposing opinion and written statement with alternative recommendations to SJRWMD pertaining to the proposed rule. Further, discussions with FIS state board members indicate that the Society is supportive of an alternative of WATER ALLOCATIONS or BUDGETS in lieu of such a prescriptive approach to landscape and irrigation.

The Governing Board has requested comments be submitted to the District for review and consideration and should be clearly identified as submitted to Dwight Jenkins, djenkins@sjrwmd.com by December 23, 2009.

If you would like to discuss additional information or comments directly, please feel free to contact me via phone or email. 407/760-7817 or jb@clearwaterpsi.com . I hope that you will support our efforts in impacting this proposed rule which could severely restrict our industry.

Submitted by: Judy Benson, Clear Water Products & Services, Inc.
Irrigation Specialist, CIC, CID, CLIA, Master Gardener, Florida Water Star Certifier & Quality Assurance Provider, EPA Water Sense Partner

So what is the general consensus regarding statewide licensing? Are you for it or against it?

Welcome to the FIS Central Florida Chapter Blog