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, and agricultural fields.

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.