Article: "Reuse of Reclaimed Water", updated May 1999
URL: http://www2.dep.state.fl.us/water/wf/dom/reu_info.htm
Source:
Domestic Wastewater Section
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3540
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
David York, Ph.D., P.E.
TEL:850- 488-4524
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection's
Division of Water Facilities
URL: http://www2.dep.state.fl.us/water/

Reuse has grown rapidly in popularity in Florida. In 1996, there were over 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 over 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.

Of the 400 mgd of reclaimed water that is reused, about 40 percent is used for irrigation of areas accessible to the public. About 260 golf courses, 240 parks, 100 schools, 57,000 residences, and many other landscaped areas are irrigated with reclaimed water. Another 24 percent of the reclaimed water is used for agricultural irrigation. Ground water recharge projects use about 21 percent, industrial activities (cooling and process water) use 13 percent, and wetlands creation, restoration, or enhancement projects use about 2 percent of Florida's reclaimed water.

St. Petersburg Dual Distribution System -- Highly treated reclaimed water is made available in a separate piping system for landscape irrigation, including the irrigation of more than 8,150 residential lawns, 46 schools, 66 parks, and 6 golf courses. This is the most widely known reuse system in the world. The system has been operating since 1977 and an average of about 22 mgd of reclaimed water was reused in 1995.

CONSERV II -- This award-winning project serves portions of both Orange County and Orlando. Highly treated reclaimed water is piped about 20 miles west of Orlando and is used to irrigate about 11,500 acres of citrus groves, 8 foliage and landscape nurseries, a tree farm, and a fernery. An extensive network of rapid infiltration basins is used to recharge ground water. The capacity of the system is 44 mgd. About 17 mgd of reclaimed water was used for irrigation and 13 mgd was used for ground water recharge in 1995.

Project APRICOT -- This project provides reclaimed water for irrigation of residential lawns and greenspace in Altamonte Springs. Reclaimed water also is used in a commercial car wash, in street sweeping equipment, and to fight fires. The capacity of this reuse system is 10 mgd and about 5.1 mgd of reclaimed water was reused in 1995.

Orlando Wetlands -- Orlando created a 1,240-acre wetlands system using reclaimed water from the Iron Bridge advanced wastewater treatment facility. The wetlands is the centerpiece of a public park and nature preserve featuring hiking, jogging, biking, and nature observation. Up to 20 mgd of reclaimed water may be used to supply this wetland system. In 1995, about 18 mgd of reclaimed water was used in the wetlands system.

Tallahassee Spray Irrigation System -- Florida's capital city irrigates about 2,000 acres with reclaimed water. Corn, soybeans, coastal Bermuda grass, and other feed and fodder crops are grown. Cattle graze on the irrigated lands during portions of the year. Tallahassee has used reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation since 1966. The capacity of this award-winning reuse system is 24.5 mgd and about 18 mgd was reused in 1995.

Gainesville -- The City makes extensive use of reclaimed water from the 10-mgd Kanapaha treatment facility. In the Southwest Reuse Project, reclaimed water is used to irrigate residential lawns, golf courses, parks, and other landscaped areas. Reclaimed water is used for irrigation and in water features at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. In addition, reclaimed water meeting drinking water standards recharges the Floridan Aquifer via deep wells. Approximately 0.25 mgd is used for irrigation, 0.1 mgd is used at the botanical gardens, and 7.1 mgd recharges the ground water. Two additional water gardens are under construction, as are facilities to serve residential customers in developing areas.

Naples -- The reuse system features irrigation of nine golf courses, residential areas, schools, churches, highway medians, parks, and other landscaped areas. The capacity of the reuse system is about 5.6 mgd.

Cocoa Beach -- About 4.2 mgd of reclaimed water is used to irrigate more than 1,200 residential and commercial lawns and a 27-hole golf course. The capacity of the reuse system is 6 mgd.

Reedy Creek Utilities -- This utility provides reclaimed water for irrigation of landscaped areas within the Walt Disney World Resort Complex. Five golf courses, landscaped areas at five hotels, highway medians, and a water park are irrigated using reclaimed water. Reclaimed water also is used to irrigate a 110-acre tree farm which produces horticultural materials for use throughout the Disney Complex. A network of 85 rapid infiltration basins are used for ground water recharge. The permitted capacity of the reuse system is 15 mgd. About 1.4 mgd of reclaimed water was used for irrigation and 7.9 mgd was used for ground water recharge in 1995.

Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District -- In 1995, more than 5 mgd of reclaimed water was used to irrigate 10 golf courses. The capacity of the reuse system is 6 mgd.

Industrial Uses

Curtis Stanton Energy Center: This coal-fired power plant cools its boilers with 7 mgd of reclaimed water from the Orange County Eastern Service Area treatment plant.

Tampa's McKay Bay Refuse-to-Energy Facility: This facility uses reclaimed water from the Hookers Point treatment plant for noncontact cooling water.