Conserving Florida's Water Resources Through Reclaimed Water

Conserving Florida’s Water Resources Through Reclaimed Water

Reclaimed Water is essential in Florida’s water resources, wastewater, and ecosystem management. When reclaimed Water is used, it eases the demand for traditional, often limited, water sources. Water Reuse allows communities to grow while minimizing or reducing their impact on the water resources, as its availability is not dependent on rainfall.

Using reclaimed water also reduces discharges to surface waters, recharges groundwater, and postpones costly capital investments in the development of new, more costly water sources and supplies.

What is Reclaimed Water?

Reclaimed Water is any highly treated wastewater specially treated by strict water quality standards. Reclaimed Water systems are continually monitored to protect the health and welfare of the public and the environment. By law, Reclaimed Water meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s strict standards; however, it is still unsuitable for drinking or bathing.

Reclaimed Water is clear, clean, odorless, and bacteriologically safe. Reclaimed water contains phosphorus, which is beneficial to turf and plant growth, and has low nitrogen levels.

How Water Is Reclaimed?

The diagram below follows the process of turning domestic wastewater into reclaimed water. Separate pipes carry wastewater to the treatment plant, where it undergoes treatment, including filtration and disinfection before it can be distributed. Reuse eliminates dependence on potable, surface, or groundwater for these uses.

Is Reclaimed Water Safe?

The Florida Department of Health has found that reclaimed Water poses no threat to public health. Reclaimed Water complies with mandated water regulations and meets The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) strict standards through high levels of treatment, filtration, disinfection, and continuous monitoring. FDEP has found reclaimed Water to be an excellent water quality source for public use and our environment.

Is Reclaimed Water Safe to Drink?

Reclaimed Water is not intended to be consumed. It is not potable for drinking as it contains nutrient levels that exceed drinking water quality criteria but are beneficial to lawns and landscape materials.

How to Use Reclaimed Water

If you are considering reclaimed Water for your residence, here are a few guidelines for how to use it:

Use for This:		Not For This:
Irrigating your lawn and landscape.		Drinking water.
Filling decorative ponds and fountains.		Filling swimming pools or hot tubs.
Direct irrigation is used to water vegetables and fruits that will be peeled or cooked before serving.		Connecting to a home or office for household use.
Using furrow or drip irrigation to water crops that will not be peeled or cooked prior to serving.		Interconnecting with your drinking water pipeline.
Supplying a commercial water-cooled air conditioning system.		Water recreation that involves water contact.

How is Reclaimed Water kept separate from drinking water?

Reclaimed Water is not intended to be consumed. It is strictly for irrigational purposes only. The system will use the existing irrigation lines separate from the potable water lines used for drinking Water. Drinking water systems and wastewater systems are separate with no cross-connections.

For Use In Sprinkler Systems

Reclaimed water isn’t suitable for drinking, but lawns can be irrigated with Reclaimed Water systems. This type of water is especially useful for sprinkler systems. You can even irrigate crops with reclaimed water as long as these products are cooked, skinned, or peeled before consumption.

Conserve Water

Approximately 50% of all drinking water used in Florida is used for irrigation. The Biscayne Aquifer is the District’s main source of drinking water, and in the annual dry season, increased irrigation demand causes the water level to drop. Using reclaimed water for irrigation can help the District conserve its drinking water in the summer months and for future generations

Save Money

Using reclaimed water for irrigation replaces the use of potable water and adds significant savings to your water bill.

Feed your plants

Reclaimed water can safely irrigate turf and most other landscape plants. Reclaimed water contains nutrients, phosphorus, and nitrogen – one of the ingredients in commercial fertilizers. Once reclaimed water is used for irrigation, fertilizer adjustments or replacement of plants with a low salt tolerance may be needed.

How Do I Know if I Already Have Reclaimed Water?

Reclaimed water is available to customers who live within the boundaries of the existing reclaimed water service area. You can also call our office at (954) 752-0400.

How Will I Be Billed For Reclaimed Water Used For Irrigation?

Reclaimed water will be metered and billed monthly as a separate line item on your utility bill at a rate of $1.10 per 1,000 gallons and a minimum base charge of $4.00. These are pass-through costs from Broward County since the County will bill NSID on usage, and NSID will then bill the residents in the mandated reuse areas.

Why Can't We Pull Water Out From The Lake Like We Used To?

The State of Florida controls all surface water resources through delegated authority via the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Each HOA had a permit issued through SFWMD, allowing surface water withdrawal. However, the permit conditions, Chapter 373.250, Florida Statutes, and Subsection 2.2.3 of the Applicant’s Handbook For Water Use Permit Applications Within the South Florida Water Management District, requires that the lowest quality water available be used for irrigation if it is technically environmentally, and economically feasible.

When Can I Water With Reclaimed Water?

Reclaimed water is a dependable source of water even during times of drought because its availability is not dependent on rainfall. The use of reclaimed water is currently exempt from year-round landscape irrigation conservation measures and emergency water shortage restrictions.

North Springs Improvement District