CHARLOTTE COUNTY UTILITIESA Utility Perspective to Effective Water Conservation in the State of Florida.

Presented by Jeff Pearson – CCU Utilities Director

Tiered Conservation Rates

• Conservation rates should reduce the average per customer demand. 1st tier should reflect an average household demand (i.e. 0 – 5,999 gal.)

• Rates discourage wasteful use of resources.• Rates should promote the conservation of water

resources.• Conservation rates should be comparable with

standard rate structures employed by other Florida utilities regulated in the same Water Management District.

• Conservation rates should be simple and understandable.

Watering Restriction Enforcement

• Enforcement is the responsibility of the Utility!• A once per week watering schedule should be

implemented on a year round basis. 40 to 50% of all potable water is used for irrigation.

• As the primary stakeholder, the water utility should enforce W.M.D. or local watering restrictions.

• Enforcement efforts provide an opportunity to educate the public on water conservation. 1st offense should not be punitive.

• Conservation is the cheapest form of new water sources.

Countywide Conservation Program

• Conservation Program should utilize the Conserve Florida Guide.

• SB 444 (June 2005) and HB 293 (June 2004), has changed the way public water suppliers plan and implement water conservation measures and best management practices (BMPs) as a condition of their Water or Consumptive Use Permit (WUP/CUP).

• The Conserve Florida GUIDE, was recently developed by Malcolm Pirnie for the FDEP and the Conserve Florida Program.

Conserve Florida GUIDE Based Program• Develop a Utility Profile for your conservation

program.

• Conduct a water use evaluation.

• Develop a “Water Conservation Toolbox.”

• Develop the final water conservation 5-20 year plan.

• Once implemented, develop Performance Benchmarks and “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) that work best for your utility.

• Collaboration is the key to success!