Reclaimed water is wastewater which has been thoroughly treated to remove harmful
organisms and substances, such as bacteria, viruses and heavy metals, so it can
be reused.
Water used to supply Florida’s growing population and economy has increased
significantly during the past several decades. Increasing water use has made the
development of naturally occurring high quality water more and more difficult and
costly.
At the same time, it has become more difficult to dispose of increasing quantities
of treated wastewater in an environmentally sound manner. Reusing reclaimed water,
such as domestic (household) wastewater, addresses both of these problems.
Reclaimed water is commonly used to irrigate golf courses,
residential landscapes, corporate grounds, agricultural fields and sports fields
where our children and grandchildren play.
It can be used for industrial heating and cooling, for car washes and to replenish
wetlands during times of drought.
Using reclaimed water where it is appropriate leaves us with greater supplies of
fresh, pure drinking water.
- Saves fresh drinkable water for use in our homes and businesses
- Provides a safe, environmentally responsible alternative to wastewater
disposal
- Reduces the need to construct new drinking water facilities
- Reduces the need to transport water from other places
The St. Johns River Water Management District requires wastewater treatment utilities
to make reclaimed water available to potential users when it is economically, technically
and environmentally feasible.
Currently, 64 percent of the wastewater treatment facilities in the District provide
reclaimed water for reuse. About 35 percent of the 286 million gallons of wastewater
treated every day is reused.
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