Water Where-with-all

Water Where-with-all

Coral SpringsGovernment Academy

June 28, 2012

Carole MorrisIntergovernmental RepresentativeGovernment & Community Affairs

SFWMD

Who we are Who we are

Covers an 18,000 square-mile region:

3

• 16 counties; 7.5 million residents

• Regional responsibilities

• Water Quality

• Flood Control

• Natural Systems

• Water Supply

• WestPalmBeach

Who we are and what we do

4

HistoryHistory

Flood and Drought

Dredge and Drain the Swamp

1948 US Congress authorized a flood control project

1949 Florida created a regional agency to operate the system

Today’s C&SF SystemToday’s C&SF System

2,669 miles of canals and levees

160 major drainage basins

1,290 water control structures

66 pump stations 9 Regional Field

Stations & Headquarters

6

7

Two Seasons…Wet & DryTwo Seasons…Wet & Dry

Month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Mon

thly

rai

nfal

l and

ET

p (in

ches

)

0

2

4

6

8

10

Rainfall (dry month)Rainfall (wet month)ETp

Roller Coaster of Weather ExtremesRoller Coaster of Weather Extremes

8

Current ConditionsCurrent Conditions

Water Shortage Warning rescinded

Average to above average rainy season forecast

Early start to rainy season replenished supplies

Year Round water conservation measures targeting outdoor irrigation

Year-round landscape irrigation measures

Adopting and incorporating Florida-friendly landscaping

Retrofitting of water-guzzling fixtures and appliances

10

Implementing Water Conservation ProgramImplementing Water Conservation Program

11

Florida-Friendly LandscapingFlorida-Friendly Landscaping

Nine principles: Right plant, right place Water efficiently Fertilize appropriately Mulch Attract wildlife Manage yard pests

responsibly Recycle Reduce storm water

runoff Protect the waterfront

12

Fix that Leak

• One drop per second from a leaky faucet = 3,150 gallons per year!

• 10,000 homes = 31.5 million gallons!!!

Replace old fixtures & appliances• Install low-flow toilets• Replace old showerheads• Add aerators to faucets• Use more efficient dishwashers and

washing machines

Retrofit Water-GuzzlersRetrofit Water-Guzzlers

13

Change Your Habits, too!Change Your Habits, too!

• Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth or rinsing vegetables

• Take shorter showers

• Don’t use toilet as a waste basket

• Wash full laundry and dish loads

Little things can make a big difference!

14

Benefits of Year-Round ConservationBenefits of Year-Round Conservation

Reduces wasteful water use

Saves money

Helps stretch wet season water supplies through drier months

Reduces severity of potential water shortages

Before and After the StormBefore and After the Storm

SFWMD Role:

Monitor weather conditions and water levels around-the-clock

As needed, open gates to lower water levels in primary canals in anticipation of expected inflows

During and after heavy rains, route excess water through waterways to storage or coastal discharge points

Before and After the StormBefore and After the Storm

Optimum flood control is a three-tiered system – functioning much like a roadway system

Before and After the StormBefore and After the Storm

It starts in your community…

Before and After the StormBefore and After the Storm

Major canals receive inflows and move water into storage or discharge to the coast

Before and After the StormBefore and After the Storm

Secondary canals connect to farm and neighborhood systems

For more information: www.sfwmd.govFor more information: www.sfwmd.gov