1. Introduction and Program Scope

1.1 Purpose and Authority

This Certification Manual specifies the conformity assessment and certification procedures administered by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) for water efficiency under the Florida Water Star (FWS) Program statewide.

1.2 Program Administration

The SJRWMD grants the FWS Program Administrator the authority to perform the responsibilities outlined for managing the FWS Program.

1.3 Certification Categories

This manual provides comprehensive information on FWS property certifications and their respective categories:

1.3.1 Residential Certification

Silver or Gold certification for single-family and multifamily dwellings.

1.3.2 Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Certification

Office, retail, hospitality, healthcare, educational, manufacturing, and similar building types.

1.3.3 Community Certification

Master-planned neighborhoods, mixed-use developments, and multi-building campuses.

1.4 Technical Manual Basis

Certification is based on a property’s compliance with requirements in the FWS Technical Manual. Only the edition of the FWS Technical Manual in effect on the project submission date shall be used, unless SJRWMD authorizes use of a later or earlier edition in writing.

1.5 Conformity Assessment Activities

This Manual covers the following conformity assessment activities, implemented via the FWS Program:

1.5.1 Engagement

Review of application and project documentation to verify eligibility and scope.

1.5.2 Evaluation

Inspection and testing of properties, installed items, and documentation against the Technical Manual requirements.

1.5.3 Review

Independent assessment of evaluation results to confirm fulfillment of the FWS criteria.

1.5.4 Decision

Determination whether to grant, maintain, extend, reduce, suspend, or withdraw certification.

1.5.5 Surveillance

Periodic audits or inspections, as required, to ensure ongoing Inspection Company compliance.

1.6 Technical Criteria Source

This Manual does not itself prescribe FWS technical criteria; those are defined by the Latest Edition of the FWS Program Technical Manual found at www.floridawaterstar.com.

1.7 Scope Limitations

This Manual and the FWS Program does not cover first-party (self-declaration) or second-party (buyer’s) assessments, nor does it specify national or local regulatory requirements for water use.

1.8 Authorized Inspectors

Only FWS approved Inspection Companies and their FWS approved inspectors operating under this FWS Program shall be accredited and duly authorized by SJRWMD to determine a property’s conformity against the scope defined herein.