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 Toilet Replacement Program (Phase 14)
Project Number N517
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 a water conservation project offering financial incentives to customers for
the replacement of conventional high flush toilets with EPA WaterSense labeled, high efficiency toilets (HETs) that use 1.28 gallons
per flush (gpf) or less. In 1997, the City initiated Phase I of this program, which has since resulted in the replacement of over
32,000 conventional toilets with low flow models. Interest in the program and the range of program participants has continued. The
2014 project will be the seventeenth year of this ongoing effort and is expected to provide rebates for the replacement of
approximately 700 high flow toilets with high efficiency toilets that offer 20% greater efficiency than ultra-low flow (ULF) models.
Utilizing the District's methodology, the overall cost effectiveness of this program is $1.74 per thousand gallons saved, and is
expected to save more than 115 million gallons of water over the next 20 years, 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. During 2014,
efforts to target audiences who have not participated, including low income residential households, will include GIS mapping and
alternative marketing methods. A consultant will be utilized to assist with program administration. Another goal of this project is to
educate program participants on methods of indoor water conservation and proper maintenance practices that ensure that low flush
toilets remain water conservative fixtures by providing participants educational materials on leak detection and proper replacement
flapper selection and installation. Educational materials on indoor and outdoor water conservation techniques will also be
disseminated.
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
Comprehensive Plan and SWFWMD regulations. Building developments are regulated in terms of the quantity and quality of
stormwater runoff. Water pollution protection is provided by Chapter 11, Section 2 of City Code, which identifies unlawful
discharges into the public drainage system and provides for prosecution of violators. The City participates in the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP). In order to qualify for the program, the City adopted and enforces Article VII Flood Damage Prevention
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