2026-O-04 - Potable Reuse Charter Amendment (Limitation on Reclaimed Blackwater Use)ORDINANCE NO. 2026-0-04
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDGEWATER,
FLORIDA, PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY
CHARTER TO PROHIBIT THE CITY FROM APPROVING
THE USE BY THE CITY'S WATER UTILITY OF
RECLAIMED BLACKWATER AS A DIRECT SOURCE
WATER FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE CITY'S
POTABLE WATER SYSTEM; PROVIDING FOR BALLOT
TITLE AND SUMMARY; PROVIDING FOR
REFERENDUM; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND
APPLICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, AN
EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR ADOPTION.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Edgewater, Florida, has made the following
determinations:
1. Section 166.031, Florida Statutes, provides for the adoption of an ordinance
submitting proposed amendments to a municipal charter to the municipality's electors for
approval.
2. The City Council of the City of Edgewater desires to submit to the City's electors a
proposed amendment to the City Charter to prohibit the City's water utility from approving the
use of reclaimed blackwater as a direct source for introduction into the City's potable public water
system.
3. The City Council finds that protecting the City's potable water system serves the public
health, safety, and welfare.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Edgewater,
Florida:
PART A. CHARTER AMENDMENT
Charter Amendment. Article I of the City Charter, entitled "Powers," specifically Section 1.01, is
hereby amended to add a new subsection (f) entitled "Limitation on Reclaimed Blackwater Use,"
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which shall become effective upon approval by the qualified electors of the City of Edgewater, to
read as follows:
Sec. 1.01(f). Limitation on Reclaimed Blackwater Use. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Charter, the City shall not approve the use by the City's water utility
of reclaimed blackwater as a direct source water for introduction into the City's
potable public water system. The terms "blackwater," "public water system," and
"source water" shall have the meanings provided in applicable state law or rule. The
City Council shall implement this subsection by ordinance.
PART B. BALLOT TITLE AND SUMMARY
The ballot title and summary for the charter amendment set forth in Part A of this Ordinance,
followed by the words "Yes" and "No," shall be placed on the ballot at the November 3, 2026
election for consideration by the qualified voters of the City of Edgewater, Florida, as follows:
PART C. TITLE:
LIMITATION ON RECLAIMED BLACKWATER USE
BY THE CITY OF EDGEWATER'S WATER UTILITY SUMMARY
Shall the Charter of the City of Edgewater be amended to prohibit the
City from approving the use by its water utility of reclaimed
blackwater as a direct source of water for introduction into the City's
potable public water system?
Yes No
PART D. REFERENDUM
A referendum election is hereby authorized to be held on November 3, 2026, in conjunction with the
general election held pursuant to Section 100.031, Florida Statutes, and other applicable laws, at
2026-0-04
which the foregoing charter amendment and ballot -question shall be submitted to the electorate of
the City of Edgewater.
PART E. NOTICE OF REFERENDUM; DIRECTIONS TO CITY CLERK
The City Clerk is authorized and directed to publish notice of the referendum authorized by this
Ordinance in accordance with Section 100.342, Florida Statutes, and to take all actions necessary to
place the ballot title and summary on the ballot.
PART F. CODIFICATION; FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
In the event the charter amendment is approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified
electors voting on the question at the November 3, 2026 election: (1) the approved amendment shall
be incorporated into the City Charter; and (2) the City Clerk is directed to file the revised Charter
with the Florida Department of State.
PART G. SEVERABILITY AND APPLICABILITY
If any portion of this Ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. If
this Ordinance or any provision thereof is held inapplicable to any person, property, or circumstance,
such holding shall not affect its applicability to any other person, property, or circumstance.
PART H. CONFLICTING PROVISIONS
All ordinances and resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed
to the extent of such conflict.
PART I. EFFECTIVE DATE OF CHARTER AMENDMENT
The charter amendment proposed in this Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon
certification of an affirmative majority vote of the qualified electors of the City of Edgewater at the
referendum election.
PART J. EFFECTIVE DATE
2026-0-04
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