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1. What is reclaimed water?

Pinellas County’s reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater produced through an advanced wastewater treatment process. This process eliminates any harmful byproducts while retaining beneficial elements, such as nitrogen, for irrigating landscapes.

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3. How is Reclaimed Water Processed?

The wastewater treatment and disinfection process requires four steps:

Step 1  eliminates large solid materials.

Step 2  uses microorganisms to break down smaller solids.

Step 3  eliminates undesirable compounds and fine suspended particles.

Step 4  uses chlorine to eliminate disease causing organisms.

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4. What is the quality of reclaimed water?

Pinellas County produces reclaimed water that meets all the state requirements for utilization of reclaimed water for irrigation of public access areas (parks, playgrounds, school sites, golf courses, etc.), and irrigation of residential lawns and landscapes.

Inorganic Contaminants	William E. Dunn Facility	South Cross Facility
Chloride (mg/l)	188	322
Nitrate (mg/l) (as Nitrogen)	0.27	1.27
pH (standard unit)	7.76	7.36
Phosphorus (mg/l)	0.92	0.88

• Chloride – naturally occurring salt content present in all water types.
  
  
• Nitrate (as Nitrogen) - a nutrient that stimulates plant growth and is associated with lush, dark green leaves.
  
  
• Milligrams per Liter (mg/L) – one part by weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water sample.
  
  
• pH – the measure of acidity or alkalinity with 7 as the neutral amount.
  
  
• Phosphorus - promotes healthy root development and aids in plant establishment.

2007 Reclaimed Water Consumer Confidence Report  (354 kb)

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5. Is reclaimed water safe?

Yes.  To ensure safety, the highest standards established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are followed.  System controls utilized by Pinellas County Utilities are among the most stringent in the nation.  Locally, Pinellas County Utilities, St. Petersburg, Largo, St. Pete Beach, South Pasadena, Pinellas Park, Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs safely operate reclaimed water systems.  There is no documentation of any public health problems associated with reuse of properly treated and disinfected reclaimed water.  As a precaution, it is recommended that immuno-compromised persons irrigate only when they will not be outside.

The level of treatment received by reclaimed water makes it acceptable for the following uses:

• Irrigating lawns and most landscaping.
• Washing of cars, boats, or heavy equipment.  It is recommended that after the use of reclaimed water, vehicles are rinsed with potable water and towel dried to prevent spotting.
• Washing of roofs and buildings.
• Use in fountains and decorative pools (they must be clearly marked as containing reclaimed water).

The degree of treatment required for the use of reclaimed water makes it unsuitable for the following purposes:

• Consumption by humans.
• Bathing, cooking or toilet flushing in residential dwellings.
• Any interconnection with another water source.
• Recreational use involving body contact (i.e. swimming pools or outdoor showers).
• Irrigation of vegetables or other edible crops which are not peeled, cooked, or thermally processed before being consumed.
• Run off into or filling of swimming pools.

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6. What types of plants thrive on reclaimed water?

In general, any plant native to this area will grow well when irrigated with reclaimed water.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Preferred Conditions
Banana	Musa acuminata	Full sun Moist soil
Blue Porterweed	Stachytarpheta spp	Partial shade Moist-dry soil
Bougainvillea	Bougainvillea spectabilis	Full sun "Moist, well drained soil"
Croton	Codiaeum variegatum	Full sun to partial shade Moist soil
Dahon Holly	Ilex cassine	"Open, sunny areas" Moist soil
Day Lilies	Hemerocallis spp	Full sun to partial shade Moist soil
Hibiscus	Hibiscus roa-sinensis	Full sun "Moist, well drained soil"
King Sago	Cycas revoluta	Full sun to partial shade Dry to moist soil
Lantana	Lantana camera	Full sun Dry to moist soil
Liriope	Liriope muscari	Partial shade "Moist, well drained soil"
Live Oak	Quercus virginiana	Full sun Dry to wet soil
Queen Sago	Cycas circinalis	Full sun to partial shade "Moist, well drained soil"
Society Garlic	Tulbaghia violacea	Partial to full sun Well drained soil
Southern Magnolia	Magnolia grandiflora	Full sun to partial shade Moist to wet soil

Some plants are sensitive to the amount of chlorides in reclaimed water.  These include azaleas, Chinese privet, gardenias, roses, geraniums, and orchids.  If leaf burning is observed, consider drip irrigation so water is applied at the soil level rather than spraying the leaves.  Chlorides in the reclaimed water may damage the leaves.

Florida’s reuse rules allow irrigation of edible food crops through direct contact methods (spray irrigation) that will be peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before human consumption, including citrus.

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7. What do I need to know about connecting to reclaimed water?

• The program is voluntary and you can utilize your existing in-ground irrigation system.
• If you have a well, you must disconnect it from the irrigation system in order to take advantage of the program.
• Irrigation systems connected to a drinking water line must be disconnected.
• No cross connection can exist prior to the tie-in to the reclaimed water system.
• A cross connection inspection conducted by a Pinellas County Reclaimed Water Inspector is required at the time the actual tie-in to the reclaimed service is made.
• An automatic rain shutoff device and a wye strainer are required at the time of inspection. The wye strainer should be cleaned monthly to maintain adequate pressure and maximize sprinkler system efficiency.
  
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9. What is the reclaimed water rate?

The current retail reclaimed water rate and fee schedule adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on January 6, 1998, is as follows:

Residential (unmetered service):	Commercial (metered service):
$14.00 bimonthly availability fee	$14.00 bimonthly availability fee
$4.00 bimonthly usage fee	$0.29 per thousand gallons
$3.75 bimonthly billing charge	$4.50 bimonthly billing charge**

**  The $4.50 billing charge will be charged only once bimonthly for those customers who have both County water and reclaimed service which are billed on the same account. 

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10. Are there restrictions on reclaimed water use?

In Florida, responsible stewardship of our water resources is especially important.  How we use, conserve, and manage our water supply will greatly affect our quality of life now, and even more so in the future.

• It takes the wastewater from four homes to supply one home with reclaimed water.
• Reclaimed water is a limited resource and should be used efficiently.

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 01-329 on November 20, 2001, asking reclaimed water customers to voluntarily limit their landscape irrigation to every other day of the week based on the following schedule:

If your house number ends in:	Then water on:
EVEN number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8)	Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, & Sunday
ODD number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9)	Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday
Sunday is a watering day for all users
Morning Hours	Evening Hours
12:01 AM to 10:00 AM	4:00 PM to 11:59 PM

Watering is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM

NOTE: Customers receiving drinking water from Pinellas County Utilities, and receiving reclaimed water from the cities of Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, Pinellas Park, South Pasadena, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, or Tarpon Springs must follow the restrictions established by those cities.

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11. What areas are currently receiving reclaimed water?

North County areas currently receiving reclaimed water:

Golf courses:	Schools:
Innisbrook Wentworth Tarpon Woods East Lake Woodlands Highland Lakes	Carwise Middle School East Lake High School Highland Lakes Elementary School Palm Harbor Middle School Palm Harbor University High School St. Pete College Tarpon Springs Campus Sutherland Elementary School
Parks: Anderson Park Conservation Park

Subdivisions:
Alderman Ridge Allen's Ridge Arbor Glen Autumn Woods Barrington Oaks Beacon Groves Berisford Carlyle Estates of Cobb's Landing Devonshire Enniswood Highland Lakes (10 streets) Highlands of Innisbrook	Historic Palm Harbor Indian Trails Laurel Oaks Oak Trail Orange Pointe Patty Ann Acres Piper's Meadow President's Landing Savannah Pointe Sever's Landing Sutton Place West Lake Villas Condos Westlake Village

South County areas currently receiving reclaimed water:

Golf courses:

• Seminole Lakes Golf & County Club
• Tides

Subdivisions on the mainland:

• 72nd Ave North (Park Blvd. south to 70 Ave. N. and 71st St. N. west to 77th St. N.)
• Bonnie Bay
• Bonnie Glynn
• Club Chalet
• Five Towns
• Oakhurst Road (Walsingham Rd. south to 66th Ave. N. and 113th St. west to Boca Ciega Bay)
• Paradise Shores Apts.
• Park Place Condos
• Parkside Villas
• Pinellas Village
• Seminole Lakes
• Sundown Woods
• Tamarac by the Gulf
• Townhomes of Park Place
• Westchester Estates

Gulf Beaches:

• Tierra Verde
• Treasure Island
• Madeira Beach
• Redington Beach
• North Redington Beach
• Redington Shores
• Indian Shores
• Indian Rocks Beach

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12. What areas are scheduled to receive reclaimed water?

North County:	South County:
Palm Harbor Expansion area bounded by: South of Alderman Rd. West of U.S. 19 N. North of C.R. 39 East of the Intracoastal	Belleair Beach Belleair Shore Sand Key The Narrows – Gulf Blvd.

 

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13. Can I tour a Water Reclamation Facility?

Yes. Pinellas County Utilities owns and operates two advanced wastewater treatment facilities.

The William E. Dunn (WED) Water Reclamation Facility provides reclaimed water service to residents and businesses in the unincorporated areas north of Curlew Road.

The South Cross Bayou (SCB) Water Reclamation Facility provides reclaimed water service to residents and businesses in central and southern unincorporated areas, and to the Gulf beach communities from Sand Key to Tierra Verde.

If you would like to schedule a tour of a water reclamation facility, please call 727-464-3896.

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Water Use Affecting North County Reclaimed Water Supply Conservation Critical to Avoid Zone Control
Pinellas County Utilities officials are requesting north county reclaimed water customers to limit irrigation. If reclaimed water use is not immediately and substantially reduced, it will be necessary to implement zone control for north county customers.
Press release posted 6/6/08

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Urgent Reclaimed Water Reduction Needed Drought Conditions Critically Affecting South County Supply
Pinellas County Utilities officials are urgently requesting an immediate reduction in reclaimed water usage in south Pinellas County. Demand on the system has reached a critical stage with usage equaling or exceeding production.
Press release posted 6/6/08

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Utilities billing address
PO Box 1780
Clearwater Fl 33757-1780