Wastewater from central sewers

As one of the fastest growing states in the nation, Florida faces many water resource challenges. Wastewater management has become increasingly difficult because of environmental concerns. At the same time, providing high-quality drinking water to Florida’s growing population has become more challenging and costly in recent years.

Every day wastewater from sinks, dishwashers, clothes washers and toilets flows into sewer pipes to a treatment plant. Oftentimes, this partially treated sewage leaves the treatment plant and is discharged to a waterway, such as the St. Johns River.

However, wastewater can be treated to remove harmful organisms and substances and made safe for irrigation and nonpotable (nondrinking) water needs. The use of this “reclaimed” water is an environmentally responsible alternative to surface water disposal, by reducing the amount of wastewater discharged into the St. Johns River.

Water reuse involves taking what was once considered to be wastewater, treating and disinfecting it, then using the resulting high-quality reclaimed water for such things as irrigation for landscapes, golf courses, parks, highway medians, playgrounds and residential properties. Reclaimed water also is used for agricultural irrigation, decorative ponds and fountains, groundwater recharge, industrial uses such as cooling, process or wash waters, fire protection, and wetlands creation, restoration and enhancement.

Currently, Florida is leading the nation in the use of reclaimed water. But even as a national leader, Florida is only taking advantage of a fraction of its potential reuse opportunities. About 40 percent of the wastewater treatment flow within the District is currently reused for beneficial purposes — to replace the use of traditional freshwater supplies. The majority of reuse occurs in the central Florida area.

Developing and using reclaimed water supplies for water resource benefits is a high priority within the District’s consumptive use permitting, regional water supply planning, and water protection and sustainability programs — and in many areas, including the Lower St. Johns River Basin, its surface water restoration programs.

Click each link below to see how wastewater is reused in these counties:

Reclaimed water FAQs

What is reclaimed water?

Reclaimed water is wastewater that has been thoroughly treated to remove harmful organisms and substances, such as bacteria, viruses and heavy metals, so it can be reused.

Water reuse involves taking what was once wastewater, treating and disinfecting it, then using the resulting high-quality reclaimed water for a beneficial use, such as irrigation for golf courses, parks, highway medians, playgrounds and residential properties. The degree of treatment depends on what purpose the water will serve. Irrigation is the most common type of reuse.

Florida utilities began using reclaimed water in the 1970s. Since then, it has become a major component of water resource management by local governments and utilities within the state of Florida and the St. Johns River Water Management District.

What is its importance as northeast Florida grows?

Redirecting the disposal of wastewater and recognizing it as a commodity — reclaimed water — will not only improve the St. Johns River’s ecological health by removing excess nutrients, but it will also protect and further extend Florida’s water supply. Using reclaimed water saves fresh drinkable water for use in homes and businesses; provides a safe, environmentally responsible alternative to wastewater disposal; delays the need to develop alternative drinking water supplies; offsets costs of wastewater treatment; and can reduce the need for fertilizer.

Is reclaimed water
safe to drink?

The water is clear, odorless and safe, but usable for only nondrinking or nonpotable water purposes in Florida.

Reclaimed water is permitted for many nonpotable uses, including landscape and commercial agricultural irrigation, groundwater recharge; industrial uses such as cooling, process or wash waters; fire protection; wetlands creation; restoration and enhancement. To assure safety for other uses, reclaimed water that is used in areas where people may come in contact with it, such as for landscape irrigation, must meet drinking water standards for pathogens, but it usually contains impurities that keep it from meeting other drinking water standards.

Reclaimed water facilities are constantly monitored to ensure that only high-quality reclaimed water is distributed. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s rules govern the reuse of reclaimed water to protect public health and environmental quality.

Are there any health concerns posed by eating fruits or vegetables grown in an area irrigated with reclaimed water?

The use of reclaimed water for raising edible crops by the general public is not permitted. However, reclaimed water is used in commercial agricultural operations including irrigation of edible food crops such as citrus, corn and soybeans. Millions of people eat or drink juice from Florida oranges grown with reclaimed water. There are no known cases of disease resulting from eating fruit or vegetables grown with reclaimed water that meets Florida’s standards. To assure additional safety, Florida regulations allow reclaimed water to be used to irrigate only food crops that will be peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before consumption. This avoids the possibility of the reclaimed water coming in direct contact with a food product that could harbor a live pathogen.

What is the main benefit of using reclaimed water?

It is the most environmentally beneficial solution to reduce nutrient loading, to help offset future water supply needs and to provide for long-term growth in the area. Water use to supply Florida’s growing population and economy has increased significantly during the past several decades. Groundwater has been used to meet most of the increasing use. But high-quality groundwater supplies may not be able to meet all future needs. 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 addresses both of these problems.

Are there any drawbacks to using reclaimed water?

It is necessary to provide public education on appropriate uses of reclaimed water. Water users must understand that reclaimed water cannot be connected to potable water plumbing systems and should not be consumed. Reclaimed water service providers also need to monitor their systems to ensure that there is no cross connection with their potable water systems. And, as with high-quality groundwater, reclaimed water supplies are limited. So even when using reclaimed water, it is important to practice conservation measures such as planting water-efficient landscapes and irrigating appropriately.