8/5/1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS Under the SJRWMD Order, Indian River County has some responsibility to help secure compliance with the mandatory conservation measures, not only on the County's system, but also from the County's franchises and private wells. The administration believes the most effective way to accomplish this objective is through adoption of an ordinance establishing emergency regulations for water conservation. The County Attorney's office has prepared a proposed emergency ordinance for Board consideration. The ordinance prohibits lawn irrigation between 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. daily, washing of impervious surfaces, washing of vehicles except at commercial facilities, and filling or refilling of swimming pools. Additionally, the ordinance provides for exemptions for extreme hardship, to be approved by the County Administrator where compliance would directly affect the earning of a livelihood or cause irreparable damage to property. The ordinance would be in effect for a period of 90 days, or until the SJRWMD lifted the mandatory conservation measures order. RECOMMENDATIONS To assist in reducing the potential hazards to the health,safety and welfare of the residents of Indain River County during this period of critical water shortage, the Administration recommends the following: 1. Adoption of proposed ordinance utilizing emergency adoption procedures. This will require a four-fifths vote of the Board. 2. Increased public awareness program utilizing media and customer messages where appropriate. 3. Increased efforts to reduce system -wide water loss, through leak detection program. Additionally, the Administration requests it be authorized to submit the required "water conservation plan" to the SJRI-IMD, utilizing the above actions as the basis for the plan. The "conservation plan" will be submitted as, soon, as possible, following this Board meeting. THE ADMINISTRATOR EMPHASIZED THAT OUR AVERAGE DAILY USE PER HOUSEHOLD IS WAY BELOW THE BASE FIGURE ST. JOHN'S WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT IS RECOMMENDING. HE CONTINUED THAT WE ARE A BIG WATER CUSTOMER OF THE CITY OF VERO BEACH, AND ALTHOUGH THE CITY HAS RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM THEIR ENGINEER THAT THEY HAVE SEVERE PROBLEMS IN THEIR DRAWDOWN AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SALT WATER INTRUSION, THEY HAVE THE FIGURES TO BACK UP THAT THEY ARE BELOW THE 15% OVERALL REDUCTION FIGURE RECOMMENDED; SO, THEY HAVE DECIDED TO CONTINUE WITH A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM. ADMINISTRATOR NELSON STATED THAT THE REASON HE IS RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MANDATORY PROGRAM IS THAT IT WOULD BETTER SUPPORT THE ST. JOHN'S WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND ALSO PROMOTE BETTER CONTROL. 45 AUG 5 1981 - POoK - 4 "1 PAGE "A