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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element <br />TABLE 8.3: 2005 <br />ESTIMATED WATER WITHDRAWALS BY USE CATEGORIES <br />(MGD) <br />Public supply <br />16.76 <br />Domestic self supply <br />1.68 <br />Commercial/industrial <br />0.56 <br />Recreation <br />2.58 <br />Agricultural <br />52.03 <br />Estimated Abandoned Flow Wells <br />22.20 <br />In 2005, per capita domestic water consumption averaged 143 gallons per day. According to an <br />estimate by the St. Johns River Water Management District, there are currently 33,587 private <br />wells in the county. <br />Recently, the Indian River County Utility Services Department began work on an alternative water <br />supply master plan to address future water demand. Besides currently utilized groundwater sources, <br />alternative water sources, including desalination of seawater, surface sources, and alternative <br />subsurface sources, are being studied. <br />Water Conservation <br />St. Johns River Water Management District <br />The St. John River Water Management District (SJRWMD) is mandated by the Water Resources Act <br />of 1972 to promote the conservation, development and proper utilization of surface and groundwater <br />(Section 373.013, F.S.). For that reason, the District has incorporated water conservation in its <br />policy development, and has public information available for water conservation techniques. <br />Through its water conservation program, the SJRWMD actively promotes the use of xeriscape - <br />drought -tolerant landscape - for residential and commercial developments. The SJRWMD also has <br />the authority to declare water shortage warnings and to implement water use restrictions within the <br />county during periods of water shortage. _ <br />As previously mentioned, the SJRWMD has an on-going program to identify and plug abandoned <br />free-flowing artesian wells, as mandated by Section 373.207 of the Florida Statues. Since 1989, <br />Indian River County has been a participant in the joint cost -share well -capping program. Under the <br />well -capping program, the County and the SJRWMD each contribute 50 percent of the annual cost of <br />the program. <br />As per Chapter 62-40.412, the SJRWMD restricts inefficient irrigation practices; requires the <br />installation of water conserving domestic fixtures; and prohibits landscape irrigation between 10 a.m. <br />and 4 p.m. <br />Community Development Department Indian River County 31 <br />