Item R4
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: Mav 18,2005
Division:
Administration
Bulk Item: Yes
No X
Department: Admini strati on
Staff Contact Person: Tom Willi
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Submission of written staff report outlining research relative to the use of water saving
plumbing fixtures in new residential construction and the construction and renovation of
government facilities.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The Board discussed the subject on April 20, 2005. A follow up report was requested at the
meeting.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that Monroe County Board of County Commissioners adopt a resolution
requiring that, where possible, all Monroe County owned and maintained buildings be
equipped with the waterless type urinals.
TOTAL COST:
NA
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
NA
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No X AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMBIPurchasing _ Risk Management _
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
Thomas J. Willi
(TYPE NAME HERE)
DOCUMENTATION:
Included X
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
Revised 2/05
MEMORANDUM
TO: Thomas Willi, Monroe County Administrator
THROUGH: Timothy McGarry, Director of Growth Management
FROM: Joseph Paskalik, Sr. Director / Building Official
DA TE: 4/27/05
SUBJECT: Water conservation measures
In response to your memo regarding water conservation, the present code
requirements are as follows:
. Lavatory, private
. Lavatory, public
. Lavatory, public, metering or
. self-closing 0.25 gallon per metering cycle
. Shower head 2.5 gpm at 80 psi
. Sink faucet 2.5 gpm at 80 psi
. Urinal 1.0 gal. per flushing cycle
. Water closet 1.6 gal. per flushing cycle
2.5 gpm at 80 psi
0.5 gpm at 80 psi
The new 2004 Florida Plumbing Code, which at this writing is to become effective July
I, 2005, incorporates two changes to the above figures:
. Lavatory, private 2.2 gpm at 60 psi
. Sink faucet 2.2 gpm at 60 psi
The current ROGO point system awards a point for installation of "ultra low volume
plumbing fixtures" and those are:
. Toilets (water closets)
. Showerheads
. Faucets
1.6 gal/flush
2.5 gal/min.
2.0 gal/min.
It would appear that the present code requirements and the soon to be adopted new
code requirements are as conservative as can be expected at this time with the
exception of the faucets and that number is very close to the ultimate goal (2.0
gal/min.) in the ROGO points.
As for the waterless fixtures, the only fixture that I am aware of is the waterless urinal.
Product information for this fixture type indicates that it is code approved and
appropriate for the use in commercial applications and could be used in residential
application; however, single-family residences are rarely equipped with a fixture of this
type. The other pertinent factor of this product is the necessity for proactive monthly
maintenance of the chemical cartridges that disinfect the fixture in lieu of the water.
Test reports indicate that the cartridges shall be replaced every three months or after
approximately 7000 uses which ever comes first. This becomes a health problem if it
is not maintained properly. Therefore, I do recommend that the product be used in
commercial applications wherever possible, including all Monroe County owned and
operated buildings. We have recently permitted one or two projects that have used
the waterless urinals in public restrooms and the response from the pubic has been
very positive. The one permit that comes to mind is the new restroom project at the
Long Key State Park.
Please note that the use of this type of fixture is above the minimum code
requirements and the Monroe County Commission could adopt a local amendment to
the FBC to require this water saving devise in all new commercial buildings. This is a
complicated process and under the current guidelines would need to be repeated
every three years as the FBC is revised unless the FBC adopts the measure into the
Florida Code. The process includes the adoption of the amendment by the local
board of county commissioners, public hearings, financial impact studies and is then
subject to appeal by any affected parties to the local Compliance Review Board before
it is transmitted to the Florida Building Commission for their approval.
At this time, I can recommend that Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
adopt a resolution requiring that, where possible, all Monroe County owned and
maintained buildings be equipped with the waterless type urinals.
However, as far as Monroe County adopting a local amendment to the FBC, I feel that
the code is moving in that direction as we speak, and therefore a local FBC
amendment is not recommended at this time.
I am not aware of any other types of water saving fixtures at this time, but I will keep
researching this and inform you of any that I find that meet the code.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.