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Water Resources
Current Initiatives
Northwest Florida is one of the wettest areas in the state. On average, Tallahassee receives 63.21 inches of rain each year, which is approximately ten inches higher than the State of Florida’s average. This can be closely attributed to a closer location to the storm systems in the north and separation from the dry south Florida climate. Source: The Florida State University Florida Climate Center. With an abundance of rain in the region, water recapture is a viable method to reduce water consumption. One way you can harness this rain is by making or buying a rain barrel for your personal use.
Fertilizer Ordinance - On October 13, 2009 the Board passed an agenda that implements a Fertilizer Ordinance. This ordinance regulates the proper use of fertilizers by any fertilizer applicator; requires proper training of commercial and institutional fertilizer applicators; establishes training and licensing requirements; establishes a prohibited and restricted application period; specifies allowable fertilizer application rates and methods, fertilizer-free zones, low maintenance zones, and exemptions. It also requires the use of Best Management Practices that provide specific management guidelines to minimize negative secondary and cumulative environmental effects associated with the misuse of fertilizers. These secondary and cumulative effects have been observed in and on the County’s natural and constructed stormwater and drainage conveyances, creeks, canals, springs, lakes, ponds, and other water bodies. Collectively, these water bodies are an asset critical to the environmental, recreational, cultural and economic well being of the County’s residents and the health of the public. Overgrowth of algae and vegetation hinder the effectiveness of flood attenuation provided by natural and constructed stormwater and drainage conveyances. Regulation of nutrients contained in fertilizer will help improve and maintain water and habitat quality.
Rain Water Reuse – Recently, the limitations and opportunities for rain water reuse in County facilities have been explored. Assessment is currently focused on the Cooperative Extension building located at 615 Paul Russell Rd. The Office of Sustainability has participated as an active member in the Multi-County Extension Advisory Committee for Climate Change & Sustainable Living, hosted by the Leon County Cooperative Extension. One of the central tasks of the committee is to explore opportunities to expand the role of the Leon County Extension Center as a sustainable living demonstration center. Through collaboration with Leon County Extension, the Leon County Office of Sustainability, and volunteers are working to develop a “Green Demonstration Center.” Significant study has occurred in the area of rain water capture for reuse in irrigation of the gardens.
The team’s goal is to implement an underground cistern which could capture rainwater runoff from the roof and store it until the gardens require irrigation. It was necessary to determine the amount of rainwater able to be captured, the collection method and the disbursement volume of the water upon reuse. It is estimated that the Extension demonstration gardens utilize a total of 580,000 gallons of irrigated water annually. The roof was measured and using average rainfall statistics it is estimated that more than 400,000 gallons of rain fall onto the roof annually. With this information it was clear that by diverting the ‘wasted’ rainfall to storage, a large portion of the irrigation needs can be augmented by redistributing the stored rainwater when the gardens become dry.
Storage can occur in various containers such as concrete cisterns much like ones used for septic tanks. However, in efforts to make the project as sustainable as possible, a study was conducted to locate alternative storage units which could be used as a cistern. It was determined that the tanks used to store gasoline at a gas station would be a good size. Pending state policy requires that all single-lined underground gas tanks be replaced with double-lined tanks by December 31, 2009. As a result many single-lined tanks all over the state are being removed and replaced with updated units. The old tanks are largely being crushed and disposed of. The team determined a used tank could be slightly modified to serve as a rainwater cistern allowing for reuse of an item which was destined for disposal. The tanks are available in 5,000 gallon units. With a storage goal of 20,000 gallons, four tanks would be needed.
With the support of Facilities Management the property elevation was assessed to determine the ideal location for the rain water cisterns. The team has determined that the tanks could be obtained for free, however professional cleaning of each unit would be necessary to safely remove the petroleum remnants. Additional research is occurring to determine the cost of such work and to design the operation of the tank’s water pumps.