Sec. 366.102. - Groundwater Resource Management Program.

The Council hereby creates a Groundwater Resources Program to implement the policy stated in Section 366.101 and establish an agency of the City that will effectively and efficiently administer this program. To accomplish these objectives, the Environmental and Compliance Department shall have the following authority: (a) To establish wellhead protection policies to provide maximum protection from contamination of public water systems and primary water sources. These policies shall ensure the City's comprehensive plan goals and objectives regarding wellhead protection and related City ordinances are implemented. (b) To enforce SJRWMD water shortage orders or SJRWMD water shortage emergency orders affecting the water use within City, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 40C-21, F.A.C. (c) To conduct studies and to encourage other agencies to conduct studies to develop methods that more fully define and protect all of the groundwater resources within the City. (d) To administer any program under Chapters 40C-3, 62-532, and 62-555, F.A.C., delegated by the SJRWMD that regulates the construction, repair and abandonment of water wells within the geographical boundaries of the City, unless these wells are within a Chapter 62-524, F.A.C., delineated area. (e) To assist the SJRWMD in implementing Rule 40C-2-042(2)(a) and (b), F.A.C., pertaining to landscape irrigation. (f) To assist the SJRWMD in the protection of groundwater resources within the City by providing data and analysis relevant to Consumptive Use Permit applications under review by the SJRWMD when the Department concludes it has pertinent information. (g) To inform and educate the public about groundwater resource management practices, aquifer conditions, and water supply options that encourage: (1) the maximum reuse of water where feasible, and cost effective, and consistent with the policies and regulations of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the SJRWMD; (2) the use of suitable water sources that are more quickly replenished over those that are less quickly replenished; (3) the uses of water sources of no higher quality than that needed for the intended use; (4) all water users to install and use equipment, facilities and best management practices that represent current environmental technology to protect the resource and prevent waste and unreasonable water use. (h) To establish policies that protect against man-induced groundwater contamination, other than that caused by water use. (i) To serve as technical information clearinghouse and coordinating body for groundwater related data, studies, conditions and issues. (j) To adopt a regulatory program to reduce discharges into the river, its tributaries and other surface water bodies in Duval County. (Ord. 2008-346-E, § 2)