Reclaimed Water

"Reclaimed water" refers to recycled wastewater treated to improve its quality. Reclaimed water may serve in many capacities that are unnecessarily using high-quality potable (drinking) water. Using reclaimed water is known as "water reuse".

Nonpotable uses for reclaimed water include:

  • Irrigation
  • Wetland restoration
  • Industrial washing and cooling
  • Fire protection
  • Geothermic energy production
  • Car washing

The Florida Section American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) supports responsible water reuse for nonpotable uses for numerous reason to include:

  • Water reuse for nonpotable purposes has been a widely accepted practice around the world for decades.
  • Water reuse offsets demands on water supplies and conserves potable water reserves.

Increased population, development, and long-range planning have led some communities to supplement their potable water resources with appropriately treated reclaimed water. Supplementing potable water supplies with reclaimed water is known as "potable water reuse".

There are two kinds of potable water reuse, direct and indirect.

  • Direct potable water reuse refers to the merging of potable and reclaimed water supplies in the distribution system after both supplies have left their respective treatment plants. Direct potable water reuse is not currently used anywhere in the United States and no plans currently exist for its implementation.
  • Indirect potable water reuse refers to the insertion of reclaimed water resources into existing natural resources, like rivers, lakes, streams or aquifers.

The FS AWWA does not oppose indirect reuse in cases where reclaimed water is used as a supplement to existing natural water resources and after appropriate treatment occurs.

Reuse has grown rapidly in popularity in Florida. In 1996, there were more than 400 reuse systems in Florida. These systems provided about 400 million gallons of reclaimed water each day for beneficial purposes. The total capacity of these facilities was more than 800 million gallons per day (mgd), which is nearly 40 percent of the total permitted domestic wastewater treatment capacity in Florida. During the 1985-1996 period, Florida became a national leader in reuse of reclaimed water.

(Note: It is recommended that contact information, Web site address and FSAWWA mission statement is added to each issue paper.)

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