.
Also In This Issue
• Other Water and Conservation Related Articles
-The Tie Between Land Use and Water Supply / p. 4
-Introducing Supply and Demand to Water Supply / p. 5-6
-Potable Water Level of Service Standards / p. 7-9
• Conference Strives to Bridge Past to Tomorrow / p. 11
• Call for Conference Presentations/ p. 12
• Florida's Newest Certified Planners/ p. 14 Regular Features
• President's Message/ p. 3
• Planner Notes/ p. 10
• Consultant Directory/ p. 18-21
• Job Mart/ p. 22-23
• Events - back page
FEBRUARY
2009
The Florida Chapter of APA providesstatewide leadership in the development of sustainable communities by advocating excellenceinplanning, providing professional development for its members, andworkingtoprotect andenhancethenaturalandbuilt environments.
Planners Should Lead Conservation of Florida's Water Resources
by Jay H. Exum, Ph.D., and Stephen Suau, P.E.
Conservingwaterandreducingconsumptionisarguably the most sustainable and efficient means of addressing Florida's water resource issues. Florida planners can take a leadership role in helping to manage Florida's water resources by supporting policiesthat makewater conservation a preferred strategy, promoting guidelines to mandate water conservation in planned developments, and incorporatingwaterconservation measures into projects during the planning stage.
placed on other water-management efforts, such as alternative water supplies, which currently receiveincentivefundingfromthe State of Florida.
Waterconservationin Florida historically hasbeenapproached as a temporary solution toconditions such as droughts and shortages. The efforts often have been underfunded and short-term. Attempts to create long-term water conservation programs haven't taken root partly because emphasis was
Morerecently, areas of Floridahaveinitiated efforts to provide more comprehensive andcoordinated frameworks for water management and conservation. One such initiative is the Florida Water Star certification program, initially developed by the St. Johns River Water Management Districtto create water efficiency in landscapes, irrigation systems, household appliances and plumbing fixtures. The program continuestoevolveandbeembracedby otherwatermanagementdistricts. Last September, the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida put forth four priority recommendations, including one to createrules orpoliciesthatwould promote funding for quantifiable water conservation methods.
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PLANNERS LEAD IN CONSERVATION
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Florida planners should consider supporting the implementation of this recommendation, as it could help take water conservation "to the next level" and ensure the long-term sustainability of the state's water resources.
Florida planners also can have an impact on the state's water resources by promoting guidelines that mandate waterconservation measures in planned developments as a cost-effective alternative to developing new water sources, treatment and distribution.
Planners also should incorporate cost-effective water conservation practices into projects during the planning stage. Practical examples of ways to reduce water consumption through planning and design are abundant.
Methods to conserve water through outdoor design include:
Native landscapes and plants, which require less water and maintenance
- Efficient irrigation technologies such as weather-based irrigation control, soil moisture sensors, low-precipitation/high efficiency nozzles, etc.
Minimal use of sod
Grouping plants based on water dependency
Minimizing the use of fertilizers
Minimizing soil disturbance
Irrigating with non-potable, alternative water supplies
Methods to conserve water through indoor design include:
High-efficiency toilets, or HETs
High-efficiency clothes washers, or HEWs, with a "water factor" of six or lower
The Mid Lakes Park is a resource-based community asset at Baldwin Park, a mixed-use, sustainable development in Orlando, Fla. The lake park features an all-native landscape, includinga spectrum of plants from upland to aquatic species. The designers incorporated minimal amounts of sod, and they chose a grass that requires minimal water. A pervious aggregate walking trail helps add to the naturalistic setting and aids in stormwater management. Photo courtesy of Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin, Inc.
Showerheads with a flow rate less than 2.5 gallons per minute
Point-of-use or on-demandwaterheatersupply kitchen sinks
Other innovative technologies such as the BRAC system to recycle indoor water (see illustration)
Water conservation may be the best public investment we can make to address Florida's water resource issues. By supporting policies that encourage water conservation, considering guidelines that mandate water conservation Continuedtopage10
PLANNERS LEAD IN CONSERVATION
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in planned developments, and incorporating water-saving measures into projects during the planning stage, Florida planners can have a real and positive impact on the state's water resources.
Jay H. Exum, Ph.D., is Director of EnvironmentalPlanning,atGlutting Jackson Kercher Anglin, Inc. in Orlando, and Stephen Suau, P.E., is Managing Partner for Progressive WaterResourcesinSarasota.
