Stricter water-related regulations ahead

This year’s Society of American Florists Pest & Production Management Conference expanded to not only cover pest and disease control, but included production-related issues that impact the growth and quality of plants. Water issues were a major focus of the conference, including water quality related to pathogens that reside in water and the impact a water source can have on pH and nutritional management.
 
Growers in areas of the country that recently experienced drought conditions and restricted water use know firsthand how important a reliable source of water is to the survival of their business. Growers in the Southeast have been especially hard hit the last few years suffering through severe drought conditions.
 
During 2007 nearly 50 percent of the country was experiencing some type of drought. Even though about 90 percent of the country is considered drought-free, water issues aren’t going away. 

The changing landscape
The issue of water availability is expected to become an even bigger issue as the federal courts put increasing pressure on the federal EPA to begin stricter enforcement of the Clean Water Act. In 2009, EPA entered into a consent decree with Florida Wildlife Federation to propose limits on nutrient pollution. The result is EPA has proposed more stringent regulation of nutrient water quality standards for Florida.
 
The proposed standard would set a series of numeric limits on the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus that would be allowed in Florida’s lakes, rivers, streams, springs and canals. EPA’s proposed rule was published in the Jan. 26, 2010 Federal Register and public comments were accepted through April 28.
 
EPA is also looking to begin to enforce limits on storm water pollution that will have a major impact on how cities deal with runoff. USA Today reports these more stringent limits could force cities to make major changes in road construction and residential and commercial development including landscaping. The paper said local governments, which are facing mounting budget deficits, are putting more of the financial burden of maintaining storm water systems on residents and businesses.
 
One city that has taken a proactive sustainable approach to storm water management is Portland, Ore. Its Green Streets and Ecoroof programs are aimed at reducing storm water runoff. The city has about 50,000 homeowners who are directing runoff from rooftops into gardens and rain barrels. The city is also offering financial incentives to property owners and developers to install ecoroofs. The city has 300 of these roofs that cover 24 acres.
 
Expect our industry to receive more pressure to reduce runoff with a great opportunity for our product to be part of the solution.