Sec. 366.101. - Legislative declaration, public policy.

The Council finds and declares that: (a) It is the public policy of the City to protect the groundwater and surface water resources within the City because they are important to the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Jacksonville. (b) It is also the public policy of the City to encourage municipal governments within Duval County and water supply utilities to work cooperatively with the St. Johns River Water Management District on regional water supply planning. (c) The City is able to provide significant assistance to the St. Johns River Water Management District in protecting the groundwater resources within the City. It also has a significant obligation to support the conservation and effective management of groundwater resources within the City, as set forth in Section 366.102 , below. (d) The City recognizes the exclusive jurisdiction of the St. Johns Water Management District to regulate the consumptive use of water. (e) The Council finds and declares that reliable, effective and economically sound regional potable water treatment and distribution systems must be provided to protect investments in existing facilities and promote beneficial growth and public health. (f) The prevention, abatement and control of pollution and conservation of the groundwaters and surface waters within the City are a matter of concern and interest to the general public, and the provisions of this Chapter are enacted in the exercise of the police power of the City for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety and general welfare of the people of the City. (Ord. 2008-346-E, § 2)