Board Asked to Scrap Tighter Water Restrictions in Florida

The St. Johns River Water Management District is backing off a move to impose tighter irrigation rules.

The district, which for the first time was proposing to limit the use of reclaimed water, is considering abandoning the proposal because of concerns expressed by water utilities, according to a news release.

District staff will instead seek permission from its board to publish a notice to initiate a separate rule making process for those provisions.

The district will continue to push for identifying specific watering days and reducing irrigation during the cooler months and by separating the reclaimed water issue, said Hal Wilkening, department of resource management director, in a prepared statement.

“We will be able to move forward now to strengthen the rules while continuing to work with the reclaimed water utilities and other interested persons,” Wilkening said in the statement.

If approved by the St. Johns board Dec. 9, the change will be effective March 8.