Tampa Bay Region - Southwest Florida Water Management District

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
FY2014 COOPERATIVE FUNDING INITIATIVE APPLICATION FORM
Project Name St. Petersburg Sensible Sprinkling Program (Phase 6)
Project Number N538
Cooperator
City of St. Petersburg
Department
Engineering
Contact Person Chris Claus
Address
1650 Third Ave. No.
City Sate Zip St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Phone # 727-892-5688
Email
chris.claus@stpete.org
Project Type:
X Water Supply Water Quality Flood Protection X Natural Systems
Strategic Initiatives:
Water Quality Maintenance and Improvement Water Quality Monitoring
Alternative Water Supply
X Conservation
Reclaimed Water Regional Water Supply Planning
Emergency Flood Response Floodplain Management
Minimum Flows and Level Establishment and Monitoring Minimum Flows and Levels Recovery
X Natural Systems Conservation and Restoration Natural Systems Identification and Monitoring
Indicate All Counties to Benefit From Project:
Charlotte Citrus Desoto Hardee Hernando Highlands X Hillsborough Lake
Levy Manatee Marion X Pasco X Pinellas Sarasota Sumter Polk
Project Description:
The City of St. Petersburg is proposing the continuance of an outdoor water conservation education and irrigation evaluation project
that will educate customers who use potable, private well, and reclaimed water regarding irrigation system modifications that can
maximize watering efficiency. Project participants will receive an irrigation system evaluation, site-specific recommendations, rain
sensor installation if an operable sensor is not present, water wise landscaping educational materials, and a watering shut-off
nozzle. Reclaimed water and private well water users have been included to encourage conservative practices and prevent overutilization
of these resources, in an effort to protect natural systems and water quality, minimize flooding potential, and increase
water resource availability to additional customers. A qualified irrigation contractor will be hired to perform evaluations. To date,
over 1,639 evaluations and 1,204 rain sensor installations have been performed as part of this project. The proposed 2014 project
(Phase 6) is expected to provide approximately 300 irrigation system evaluations at no cost to the customer. According to "Potable
Water Conservation Best Management Practices for the Tampa Bay Region" (Tampa Bay Water, 2003), a City of Tampa study of
96 residential locations identified average savings of 188 gallons per account per day (gpad) as a result of irrigation evaluations.
Despite the lack of a rebate associated with modifications, during the previous phases of this Program customer survey and followup
evaluation results indicate that many of the system and time clock suggested efficiency modifications were implemented. Annual
water savings will average 15 million gallons, affecting the entire tri-county area since water savings in St. Petersburg has a
positive effect on regional water supplies and assists in protection of natural systems. Utilizing the District's methodology, the
overall cost effectiveness of this rebate program is $1.59 per thousand gallons saved, and is expected to save 75 mg over the next
5 years.
Describe your organizations efforts in developing, implementing and enforcing water conservation and flood protection
ordinances.
The City Administration has been proactive in the development of ordinances vital to achieving the desired objective of
management of water resources and flood protection. Watering restrictions have been established through City Ordinance 842-F
and 178-G. A Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Chapter 16 of the City Code) was adopted by City Council in March of 2002. In
1994, the St. Petersburg Stormwater Management Master Plan was completed and SWFWMD conceptual permits were obtained
for the proposed projects. The St. Petersburg Stormwater Management Master Plan also addresses level of service criteria and
serves as the guide document for City ordinances and pending drainage improvements within the City of St. Petersburg. Ordinance
No. 2017-F and 147-G regulates the control and management of drainage and surface waters in harmony with the City
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