Environmental Protection
Water Resources
Water Conservation is featured in the winter Wader
The Wader is our quarterly electronic newsletter that often focuses on ways citizens can protect our water resources. The latest issue details my recent adventures searching for creative conservation tips and practices. There is also an update on the Water Conservation Initiative and an events calendar. Click HERE to join The Wader mailing list or HERE to see archived issues.
New landscape irrigation rule!
Effective January 6, 2010, all homeowners and others within the Suwannee River Water Management District are asked to limit landscape irrigation to one or two days per week, depending upon the time of the year. For the first time ever, the District is implementing a year-round water conservation rule that applies to residential landscaping, public or commercial recreation areas, and public and commercial businesses that aren't regulated by a District-issued permit.
The adopted rule is substantially equivalent to the existing water conservation rule in the St. Johns Water Management District. With the adoption of this new rule, all residents of Alachua County are covered by the following Watering Restrictions:
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No watering between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm
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Daylight Savings Time - Maximum of 2 days per week
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Eastern Standard Time - Maximum of 1 day per week
If you have any questions please contact Gus Olmos at gus@alachuacounty.us or (352-264-6806)
Water Conservation Initiative
County staff is currently researching information for a Water Conservation Initiative Report for Alachua County. The report will present a comprehensive evaluation of water conservation strategies and will include specific recommendations for implementation in the County. Click HERE to learn more!
Did you know simple things like washing your car and pressure washing can pollute our creeks if not done carefully?
If you want to learn how to minimize the amount of pollution from your home and business, check out our new pamphlets on various Best Management Practices (BMPs) for protecting our water. Click Here to see them all!
On Septe
To learn more and to find out about upcoming trainings, visit our Fertilizer Code page.
Alachua County Landscape Irrigation Ordinance
On October 13th, 2009 the Board of County Commissioners adopted an Irrigation Conservation Standards and Management Practices Code for Alachua County and will be in effect by October 26, 2009.
The irrigation schedules are already in effect for the portion of Alachua County under the jurisdiction of the St Johns River Water Management District. The adoption of the proposed ordinance will allow for the local enforcement of the requirements throughout the unincorporated area of Alachua County.
To learn about conserving water click HERE.
Check out our new Pet Waste Program!
funding provided by the Gainesville Clean Water Partnership
We are always in a Watershed!
Even if you can't see a creek or lake from your house, it is likely that what you do at your house and in your yard affects local water quality. When it rains water runs off (called stormwater) our roofs, driveways, and other hard surfaces and travels through the stormwater collection system and most likely discharges to a creek without any treatment. Most of our creeks discharge to the aquifer (our drinking water) through sinkholes.
Download a map of Alachua County Watersheds!
Water Resources Protection Programs
Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) Water Resources Program protects our water resources by monitoring surface waters, groundwater, springs, and wastewater and enforcing the Water Quality Code and Hazardous Materials Code. ACEPD is also involved with public education and citizen volunteer groups.
The Alachua County Forever Program also protects our water by preserving sensitive lands. The Natural Resources Program protects our water by preserving surface waters and associated wetlands, and up to 150 feet of upland buffer, as well as strategic ecosystems, significant habitat, significant geologic features, listed species habitat, and floodplains in their natural state, parcel by parcel, throughout the entire county!
Visit our Friends at Gainesvillecreeks.org
"We otter have clean water!"
Gainesvillecreeks.org is your source of information on the interdependent creeks, watersheds and wetlands in Gainesville, Florida. Learn how our community cares for water through stormwater management, and learn how you can help keep your local waterways beautiful and healthy.
