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Agenda 12/14/2015 PELICAN BAY SERVICES DIVISION Municipal Services Taxing & Benefit Unit NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING DECEMBER 14, 2015 THE WATER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE PELICAN BAY SERVICES DIVISION WILL MEET AT 1 PM ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER AT PELICAN BAY, LOCATED AT 8960 HAMMOCK OAK DRIVE, NAPLES, FL 34108. AGENDA 1. Pledge of Allegiance 2. Roll call 3. Agenda approval 4. Approval of 11/24/15 meeting minutes 5. Audience comments 6. Presentation by Collier County on Wastewater 7. Authority for lake treatment 8. Status of sediment testing bids 9. Overgrowth on swale east of berm 10. Planning for WQ Workshop 11. Adjournment ANY PERSON WISHING TO SPEAK ON AN AGENDA ITEM WILL RECEIVE UP TO THREE (3) MINUTES PER ITEM TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.THE BOARD WILL SOLICIT PUBLIC COMMENTS ON SUBJECTS NOT ON THIS AGENDA AND ANY PERSON WISHING TO SPEAK WILL RECEIVE UP TO THREE(3) MINUTES.THE BOARD ENCOURAGES YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING. ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING PERTAINING THERETO, AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD IS MADE, WHICH INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS AN ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING YOU ARE ENTITLED TO THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE PELICAN BAY SERVICES DIVISION AT (239) 597- 1749 OR VISIT PELICANBAYSERVICESDIVISION.NET. 10/20/2015 3:55:20 PM PELICAN BAY SERVICES DIVISION WATER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 24,2015 The Water Management Committee of the Pelican Bay Services Division met on Tuesday, November 24 at 1:00 p.m. at the Community Center at Pelican Bay, located at 8960 Hammock Oak Drive,Naples, Florida 34108. The following members attended. Water Management Committee Susan O'Brien (ex-officio) Tom Cravens, Chairman Ken Dawson Dave Trecker Scott Streckenbein Pelican Bay Services Division Staff Mary McCaughtry, Operations Analyst (absent) Neil Dorrill, Administrator Lisa Jacob, Associate Project Manager Marion Bolick, Operations Manager Barbara Shea, Recording Secretary Also Present LuAnn Giovannelli, Bay Colony Association Robert Naegele, PBPOA Mike Shepherd, Pelican Bay Resident APPROVED AGENDA (AS AMENDED) 1. Pledge of Allegiance 2. Roll call 3. Agenda approval 4. Approval of 10/26/15 meeting minutes 5. Audience comments 6. Timing for littoral plantings in remaining lakes 7. Installation of aerators in remaining lakes 8. Maintenance program for Basin 5 Lake 12 9. Quantitative measure of algae in lakes 10. WQ Workshop—publicity and invitations 11. Cost of sediment testing 12. Recycled water 13. Steps for obtaining easements to 19 private lakes and cost of maintenance 14. Permitted responsibility for PBSD lake maintenance 15. Talks to community organizations 16. Biennial pruning of the waterways along the berm 17. PBSD pond water quality analytical results May 2015 (O'Brien) 1 Pelican Bay Services Division Water Management Committee Meeting November 24,2015 a. Water quality at the two pipes coming from east of 41. 18. Adjournment ROLL CALL All members were present and a quorum was established AGENDA APPROVAL Ms. O'Brien motioned, Mr. Streckenbein seconded to approve the agenda as amended, adding item #17a and replacing item #12 with "recycled water." The motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF 10/26/15 MEETING MINUTES Mr. Dawson motioned, Ms. O'Brien seconded to approve the 10/26/15 meeting I minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. AUDIENCE COMMENTS None TIMING FOR LITTORAL PLANTINGS IN REMAINING LAKES Mr. Dorrill recommended planting the littoral plants at the beginning of the rainy season, which would begin in May 2016. He will confirm the optimum planting time with the vendor. INSTALLATION OF AERATORS IN REMAINING LAKES In July 2015, the committee approved a motion to install aerators in all of the remaining lakes over a two year period; the FY16 PBSD budget contains funds for installation of half of this project. Although Dr. Trecker would like the entire project to be completed in FY16,the other committee members would like to wait to see if any other unexpected projects arise in FY16 which may have priority over available funds. MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FOR BASIN 5 LAKE 12 Ms. Jacob provided a powerpoint presentation of vegetation encroaching on Basin 5 Lake 12. Bay Colony is requesting this vegetation be removed. Mr. Dorrill commented that this project is beyond our scope of routine lake maintenance and needs further evaluation and research. Mr. Dorrill will evaluate and discuss cost sharing with the Bay Colony Association. QUANTITATIVE MEASURE OF ALGAE IN LAKES The committee reviewed the new PBSD lake evaluation form. Using this form, the PBSD will evaluate our 45 lakes at least quarterly. WO WORKSHOP—PUBLICITY AND INVITATIONS The committee discussed the format of the Water Quality Workshop to be held on Jan. 26 from 1:00—3:00 which is to be interactive and informal. Mr. Naegele offered to have the PBPOA cosponsor the event with wine and cheese. Ms. O'Brien has prepared an invitation/letter to be sent to all Pelican Bay associations and has obtained contact information for these 2 Pelican Bay Services Division Water Management Committee Meeting November 24,2015 associations. The event will be included in Dr. Trecker's December article in the Pelican Bay Post. COST OF SEDIMENT TESTING Mr. Dorrill reported that a request for quote for sediment testing will be sent out to the five eligible vendors in the near future. Anders Andren, a Pelican Bay resident, offered to assist in providing what specific data should be requested. RECYCLED WATER Dr. Trecker will invite Beth Johnssen, Wastewater Director and/or Danette Kinaszczuk, Manager of Pollution Control to the next Water Management Committee meeting to discuss Collier County supplied irrigation water. . STEPS FOR OBTAINING EASEMENTS TO 19 PRIVATE LAKES AND COST OF MAINTENANCE Mr. Dorrill is researching South Florida Water Management District(SFWMD) permits to determine the ultimate responsibility for maintenance of all Pelican Bay lakes. PERMITTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR PBSD LAKE MAINTENANCE Mr. Dorrill is researching SFWMD permits to determine PBSD lake maintenance responsibility. TALKS TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Mr. Cravens reported giving a Pelican Bay water quality presentation to Men's Coffee and Dr. Trecker reported giving a presentation to Club Pelican Bay. They will continue these presentations to other Pelican Bay groups in the future. BIENNIAL PRUNING OF THE WATERWAYS ALONG THE BERM Mr. Cravens would like to see biennial pruning of the waterways on both sides of the berm. Mr. Bolick reported that an outside contractor is needed to remove current vegetation in this area. The committee would like to see what funds are available for this maintenance. PBSD POND WATER QUALITY ANALYTICAL RESULTS MAY 2015 Mr. Cravens motioned, Dr. Trecker seconded to recommend to the full PBSD Board that we give the contract to CH2MHi11. The motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT IThe meeting was adjourned at 3:03 p.m. Tom Cravens, Chairman Minutes approved [ ] as presented OR [ ] as amended ON [ ] date 3 WATER QUALITY WORKSHOP Community Center January 26, 2016, 1-3 p.m. Objectives (1) Update status & share data with residents (2) Urge residents to minimize irrigation and follow BMP on fertilization (3) Review options for future (4) Solicit views and ideas from residents Format • Informal and interactive • Panel: Cravens (moderator), O'Brien, Trecker, Dorrill Program • Intro/welcome/ground rules (Cravens) • PBSD responsibilities & limitations (Dorrill) • Update on lakes (Trecker) • Update on Clam Bay (O'Brien) • Options for moving forward (Panel) • Audience comments & general discussion 4'14Kr/re, 1‘ AUTHORITY FOR LAKE TREATMENT As we continue to work our way through the question of who has authority to maintain the Pelican Bay upland lakes, I thought it would be useful to summarize where things stand. These are my views and interpretations. County Ordinance—2002-27 and subsequent modifications assign PBSD the responsibility of water management, which is not defined. Easements --WCI granted easements to PBSD "for access and drainage" of a number of the lakes, perhaps to all of the 44 for which we presumably have responsibility. Water-quality maintenance is not indicated. Permits —There are numerous SFWMD permits,or"construction" of the lakes. We have been unsuccessful in locating permits dealing with "operation" of the lakes. Some of the construction permits include limiting conditions for operation, including "correction of any water quality ... problems that result from the ... operation of the surface water management system." However, even those permits are unclear about which lakes are involved. Our inability to locate relevant permits extends to the lakes for which associations have presumed responsibility. PBSD staff and Agnoli, Barber are continuing the search. Ownership —The county (PBSD) owns none of the lakes or the land under them. The lakes/land are all owned by private entities---associations, home owners, the Pelican Bay Foundation, The Club Pelican Bay (golf course), the hotels, the shopping centers, etc. We only have easements to them for "access and drainage" purposes, including embankment repair. Conclusions - My take is that PBSD maintenance of water quality, including duckweed and algae control, is something that apparently began as an extension of drainage maintenance work and continued over the years unchallenged. In fact,without specific permits, we have no more authority for water quality than any of the private entities, including home owners and associations, any or all of whom can treat the lakes in any way they wish— adding fish, copper, alum, whatever. Likewise, our easements give us access for maintaining drainage and embankments, not for maintaining water quality, which remains up for grabs. This points up the importance of locating relevant permits or admitting there are none. It also frames our options ... • Status quo --continuing the bifurcation and uncertainty of water- quality responsibility. • Absent operating permits, establish at least an understanding with the private entities that PBSD has sole water management authority, including water-quality maintenance of the 44 lakes we now manage. • Gain easements to some or all of the "private" lakes, with the above understanding of sole water-quality maintenance authority. • Turn over water-quality responsibility for all of the lakes to private entities— associations, golf course, etc. Retain responsibility only for drainage and embankments. • Turn over water-quality responsibility to the Pelican Bay Foundation, which has resources and enforcement authority we don't have. Dave Trecker, 12/8/15 ADDED EXPENSE FOR MAINTAINING 19 PRIVATE LAKES I have made a back-of-the-envelope estimate of costs for maintaining the 19 lakes now managed by individual associations. The basis was simple extrapolation of 2016 budgeted expenses for maintaining the 44 lakes for which PBSD has responsibility. Added capital $190,000 Aerators 15,000 Plants $205,000 One-time expenditure Annual operating* $142,000 Field personnel** 45,000 Chemicals, bacteria, etc. $187,000 Annual cost * Assumes no added administrative cost ** Assumes additional field personnel would be needed (likely a high estimate) Dave Trecker (12/8/15) LIST OF AUDIENCE SPEAKERS MEETING DESCRIPTION Water Management Committee DATE 12/14/15 NAME (PLEASE PRINT) r•VGNATURE t7) 1(z;> jipperil kg1/41/6{,G-Ai dab- (; _ f4.. Report on Expansion of Beneficial Use of Reclaimed Water, Stormwater and Excess Surface Water (Senate Bill 536) Office of Water Policy Florida Department of Environmental Protection December 1, 2015 **Aart��'' 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard,MS 41 e Tallahassee,Florida 32399-3000 I www.dep.state.fl.us ak:14*/+Rtii 04 SB536 Study Report TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 TABLES 4 FIGURES 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 1 INTRODUCTION 11 1.1 Purpose and Goals of the Study 11 1.2 Requirements of Senate Bill 536 11 1.3 Study Process and Stakeholder Involvement 12 1.4 Report Structure 13 2 RECLAIMED WATER 14 2.1 Background 14 2.2 Regulatory Structure for Reclaimed Water 16 2.3 Current Status of Use of Reclaimed Water 19 2.4 State and WMD Investments in Reclaimed Water 25 2.5 Analysis of Types of Reuse 26 2.6 Summary of Reclaimed Water Impediments and Constraints 29 2.7 Recommendations 36 3 STORMWATER 42 3.1 Background 42 3.2 Stormwater for Water Supply 45 3.3 Challenges to Expanding Beneficial Uses 49 3.4 Recommendations 51 4 EXCESS SURFACE WATER 56 4.1 Summary of State and National Trends for Surface Water Use 56 4.2 Potential Future Surface Water Supply 61 4.3 Environmental Considerations 65 4.4 Impediments or Constraints to Expansion 66 4.5 Case Study in Surface Water Solutions-Tampa Bay Water 70 4.6 Recommendations 71 5 WATER STORAGE 76 5.1 Background 76 2 SB536 Study Report 5.2 Reservoirs 77 5.3 Aquifer Storage and Recovery/Aquifer Recharge 83 5.4 Dispersed Water Management 89 6 REGIONAL ANALYSIS 95 6.1 Northwest Florida Water Management District(NWFWMD) 95 6.2 Suwannee River Water Management District(SRWMD) 103 6.3 St.Johns River Water Management District(SJRWMD) 109 6.4 South Florida Water Management District(SFWMD) 119 6.5 Southwest Florida Water Management District(SWFWMD) 133 7 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS 145 7.1 Statewide Recommendations 145 7.2 Regional Analysis by Water Management District 156 8 REFERENCES 157 APPENDIX A: SENATE BILL 536 163 APPENDIX B: ACRONYMS 165 APPENDIX C: PUBLIC INPUT 167 Appendix C-1: Public Input Overview 167 Appendix C2: Survey 169 Appendix C-3: Survey Respondent Characteristics 174 Appendix C-4: Ranking and Importance by Survey Topic 176 Appendix C-5: Survey Essay Themes 185 APPENDIX D: RECLAIMED WATER 195 Appendix D-1: Summary of Key Statutory Provisions 195 Appendix D-2: Analysis of Types of Reuse 203 Appendix D-3: Examples of Reclaimed Water Projects 220 APPENDIX E: EXISTING AND PROPOSED RESERVOIRS 227 Appendix E-1: SWFWMD Reservoir Inventory 227 Appendix E-2: SJRWMD Reservoir Inventory: 228 Appendix E-3: SFWMD Reservoir Inventory: 228 Appendix E-4: SRWMD Reservoir Inventory• 230 Appendix E-5: NWFWMD Reservoir Inventory• 230 3 SB536 Study Report TABLES Table 2.1: Relative Desirability of Reuse Activities 22 Table 2.2: Summary of Funding by the Water Management Districts and DEP for Reclaimed Water Projects over the Past Ten Years 28 Table 2.3: Comparative Costs within the SJRWMD for Traditional and Alternative Water Supplies 30 Table 2.4: Comparative Costs within the SJRWMD for Potable Reuse* 30 Table 5.1: Offline Surface Water Reservoir Costs and Land Requirements 80 Table 7.1: Recommendations by Water Source and Storage 146 Table C1.1: Survey Results --Most Important Issues by Category 168 Table C4.1: Reclaimed Water Impediments --Ratings Results 177 Table C4.2: Storm/Surface Water Impediments--Ratings Results 178 Table C4.3: "Other" Impediments Identified by Respondents 179 Table C4.-4: Reclaimed Water Incentives—Ratings Results 180 Table C4.5: Storm/Excess Surface Water Incentives—Ratings Results 180 Table C4.6: "Other"Incentives Identified by Respondents 181 Table C4.7: Reclaimed Water Storage Methods—Ratings Results 182 Table C4.8: Storm/Excess Surface Water Storage Methods—Ratings Results 182 Table C4.9: "Other" Storage Methods Identified by Respondents 183 Table C4.10: Indirect Potable Reuse Impediments—Ratings Results 184 Table C4.11: "Other"Incentives Identified by Respondents 184 Table D2.1: Public Access Irrigation by Water Management District 203 FIGURES Figure 2.1.1: Water Resource Caution Areas 15 Figure 2.2.1: Florida's Water Reuse Timeline 17 Figure 2.3.1: Percentage of Reused Wastewater in Florida in 2013 20 Figure 2.3.2: Quantity of Reclaimed Water(MGD)Used Within Each Water Management District in 2013 20 Figure 2.3.3: Percentage of Reclaimed Water Utilization in Florida by Flow for Each Reuse Type 21 Figure 2.3.4: Per Capita Reuse Flow 2013 (gallons per day per person) 23 Figure 2.3.5: Nationwide Percentage of Reclaimed Water Utilization by Flow and Reuse Type 24 Figure 2.3.6: Global Percentage of Reclaimed Water Utilization by Flow and Reuse Type 25 Figure 3.1.1: Typical Developed and Undeveloped Watershed Hydrographs 43 Figure 3.4.1: DOT Planning Projects 54 Figure 3.4.2: DOT Preliminary Design and Engineering Projects 54 Figure 4.1.1: Total Water Withdrawals in the United States, 2010 57 Figure 4.1.2: Comparison of Fresh Surface Water and Ground Water 58 Figure 4.1.3: Comparison of Ground Water and Surface Water 59 Figure 5.3.1: ASR Facilities within the WMDs in Florida 84 Figure 5.4.1: Dispersed Water Management Projects 90 Figure 6.1.1: Northwest Florida Districtwide Projected Demand 95 Figure 6.1.2: Water Reuse and Disposal within the NWFWMD 96 4 SB536 Study Report Figure 6.1.3: Surface Water Availability in the NWFWMD 97 Figure 6.1.4: 2013 Water Storage in the NWFWMD -- Surface Water Reservoirs 99 Figure 6.1.5: 2013 Water Storage in the NWFWMD --Regional Reclaimed Storage 100 Figure 6.1.6: Water Demands in the NWFWMD 101 Figure 6.2.1: Water Uses and Needs in the SRWMD 104 Figure 6.2.2: 2013 Existing Reuse and Waste Water Disposal in the SRWMD 105 Figure 6.2.3: Estimated Seasonally Available Excess Surface Water Flows in the SRWMD 106 Figure 6.3.1: SJRWMD Districtwide Projected Demand 110 Figure 6.3.2: Reclaimed Water Facilities and Reuse in the SJRWMD 111 Figure 6.3.4: Large Demands and Unused Reclaimed in the SJRWMD 118 Figure 6.4.1: SFWMD Districtwide Projected Demand 120 Figure 6.4.2: Limitations on Withdrawals within the SFWMD 121 Figure 6.4.3: SFWMD Water Supply Planning Regions 122 Figure 6.4.4: Wastewater Reuse and Disposal within the SFWMD 124 Figure 6.4.5: Surface Water Flows withinthe SFWMD 126 Figure 6.4.6: Major Existing and Proposed Environmental Restoration Projects in the SFWMD 128 Figure 6.4.7: Potential Needs for Reclaimed Water Stormwater, or Excess Surface Water within the SFWMD 131 Figure 6.5.1: SWFWMD Projected Water Demands 133 Figure 6.5.2: SWFWMD Planning Regions 134 Figure 6.5.3: 2010 Existing Reuse, 2010-2020 under Construction Reuse and Wastewater Disposal in the SWFWMD 136 Figure 6.5.4: 2010 Potential Surface Water Supplies, Storage and ASRs in the SWFWMD 138 Figure 6.5.5: Water Use Permits over 3 MGD and Other Demands in the SWFWMD 141 Figure 6.5.6: Large Existing Demands and Unused Reclaimed 142 Figure 6.5.7: Large Existing Demands and Excess Surface Supply 143 Figure C3.1: Survey Stakeholder and WMD Affiliation 174 Figure C3.2: Respondent Self-Description 174 Figure C3.3: Water Use Sectors of Interest to Respondents 175 Figure C3.4: Survey Sections Completed by Respondents 175 Figure.D2.1: 2010 Agricultural Areas and Irrigated Acres within Ten(10) Miles of a Domestic Wastewater Facility 210 5 SB536 Study Report ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Department would like to recognize and thank the staff of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Suwannee River Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District, South Florida Water Management District,the Department of Transportation and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, who were critical to the of development of this report. In addition, we appreciate the input received from water suppliers, water users and other interested stakeholders. 6 SB536 Study Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PURPOSE AND GOALS OF THE STUDY By 2030, Florida's population is estimated to reach 23,609,000—almost a 26%increase over 2010. Fresh water demand is projected to reach 7.7 billion gallons per day by 2030, an additional 1.3 billion gallons over 2010 water use for the state. The Florida Legislature, recognizing the importance of sustainable water supplies to the state's economy, environment and quality of life,passed SB 536 in the 2014 Legislative Session (Appendix A). Senate Bill 536 (SB 536) directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)to conduct a comprehensive study to determine how the use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water could be expanded to assist in meeting future demands. Specifically, the study report is required to identify: • factors that prohibit or complicate the expansion of the beneficial use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water and recommend how those factors can be mitigated or eliminated(Chapters 2-4); • measures that would lead to the efficient use of reclaimed water(section 2.7); • environmental,engineering,public health,public perception and fiscal constraints of expansion, including utility rate structures for reclaimed water(Chapters 2-4); and, • areas in the state where traditional water supply sources are limited and the use of reclaimed water, stormwater,or excess surface water for irrigation or other purposes is necessary(Chapter 6). The report is to then recommend permit incentives for entities that substitute reclaimed water for traditional water sources and to determine the feasibility, benefit and cost estimate of the infrastructure needed to construct regional storage features on public or private lands for reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water. (Chapters 4 and 5). FINDINGS The report includes a review and analysis of the historic development, regulatory framework, current status and potential for future expansion of reclaimed water(Chapter 2), stormwater(Chapter 3), excess surface water(Chapter 4) and storage (Chapter 5). Impediments and constraints to increasing the use of reclaimed water(section 2.6), stormwater(section 3.3)and excess surface water(section 4.4) for water supply are identified. Recommendations to mitigate or eliminate impediments and provide incentives for increased beneficial use of these water sources are provided(Chapter 7). 7 SB536 Study Report IMPEDIMENTS TO EXPANSION Seven general categories of issues/impediments were identified that impact the expansion or the use or reclaimed, stormwater or excess surface water in the state. Addressing each of these issues will be necessary to expand the efficient use of reclaimed water. • Cost and Funding-developing or expanding these waters for beneficial use can require a significant investment in water treatment, transmission and storage infrastructure. • Matching Supplies and Demands - efficient utilization of supply is limited primarily by seasonal differences in the supply and demand and the availability of storage or supplemental sources. • Regulatory - several regulatory impediments exist related to using these waters for aquifer recharge, indirect or direct potable reuse and other uses. For surface water withdrawals,the lack of established minimum flows and levels provide additional regulatory hurdles. • Water Quality -concern for exacerbating nutrient enrichment of waters in some areas may constrain their use. • Public Input and Involvement—public outreach and education is critical to public trust and acceptance of these waters,particularly for indirect or direct potable reuse. • Long-Term Uncertainty—concerns about the reliability of the sources may dissuade users from relinquishing groundwater allocations and accepting alternatives. • Scaling up to Regional Solutions—moving from localized service areas to regional water systems may present governance and funding challenges. • Hydrogeologic Constraints—in areas where ground and surface waters are highly connected, surface water withdrawals may directly affect groundwater resources. WATER STORAGE Three general methods of storage were studied as part of this report: reservoirs; aquifer storage and recovery(ASR) and aquifer recharge(AR); and dispersed water management. Large capacity reservoirs can respond to changes in water demands but can require the acquisition of large land areas and substantial investments in capacity that may not be required until well into the future. Storing water underground in ASR or AR facilities requires less land area and reduces evaporative losses compared to reservoirs, but can include greater uncertainties in project performance. Dispersed water management provides water quality and flood attenuation benefits. The selection of the best storage mechanism for a water supply or water management system depends on a thorough case-by-case analysis considering the storage needs, hydrogeologic setting, land availability and other factors. Impediments and constraints identified for reservoirs include: • substantial suitable land area required; • cost for land acquisition and operation and maintenance; • substantial investment in capacity that may not be required until well into the future; 8 SB536 Study Report • public acceptance by surrounding neighborhoods; • environmental/permitting limitations; and, • construction and development time. Impediments and constraints identified for aquifer storage and recovery and aquifer recharge include: • hydrogeologic uncertainty—an inherent"investment risk" exists due to variability within the aquifer that cannot be fully assessed until the ASR or AR system is build and operated; • ASR recovery efficiency—the volume of water that can be recovered is a key measure of success of an ASR facility and may take time to achieve acceptable levels; • water quality issues—trace metals such as arsenic may be released from the rock matrix by the injected water; and, • cost and funding—most ASR facilities to date have required cost share assistance. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Regional Recommendations by Water Management District Water use patterns and hydrogeologic conditions vary widely across the state and are frequently the controlling factors in determining the most appropriate alternative water supply development or water storage options. Therefore, in addition to the statewide analysis described above,regional analyses were conducted by each WMD to identify areas where traditional water supply sources are limited and to determine the appropriate regional focus for enhancing the use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water. These analyses were supported by the extensive work conducted as part of Regional Water Supply Plan development in each WMD, as well as graphical presentation of data related to water use and availability. The major conclusions are summarized below. • Northwest Florida Water Management District o Investigate opportunities to match existing reclaimed water sources with golf courses, nurseries and power plants. o Proceed with implementation of new water supply development grant program. • Suwannee River Water Management District o Explore the use of excess surface water from the Suwannee River to provide aquifer recharge for the recovery and support of natural systems and to support dispersed agricultural water uses. • South Florida Water Management District o Continue to implement regional water resource development projects that address a range of water-related needs, including those of urban and agricultural water supply. o Continue Cooperative Funding Program to assist in the development of stormwater, alternative water supply and water conservation projects. o Continue implementation of storage reservoir projects as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Program (CERP). • St.Johns River Water Management District 9 SB536 Study Report o bnvestigate opportunities for increased use of reclaimed water in major water use areas in Orlando,Jacksonville and along the east coast. o Investigate opportunities for increased use of reclaimed water by large agricultural users in the southern part of the District. o Identify priority areas for aquifer recharge. o Consider additional cost share funding for reclaimed water ASR wells in coastal regions. • Southwest Florida Water Management District o Continue assistance in implementation of the following projects: • The Tampa Electric Company (TECO) Lakeland/Mulberry/Polk Reclaimed Water Project, an industrial reuse system in southwest Polk County. • The Southern Hillsborough County Reclaimed Water Aquifer Recharge Project, a natural system enhancement reuse pilot project located in southern Hillsborough County. Statewide Recommendations The results of this study produced numerous statewide recommendations to increase the beneficial use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water. In general,the recommendations fall into the following categories: • DEP and WMD Regulatory Changes; • Agency Actions; • Water Supplier Actions; • Funding; and, • Education and Outreach. A compilation of the recommendations by water source and storage is provided in Chapter 7. 10 SB536 Study Report 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 PURPOSE AND GOALS OF THE STUDY By 2030, Florida's population is estimated to reach 23,609,000—almost a 26% increase over 2010. Fresh water demand is projected to reach 7.7 billion gallons per day by 2030, an additional 1.3 billion gallons over 2010 water use for the state. The Florida Legislature, recognizing the importance of sustainable water supplies to the state's economy, environment and quality of life, passed SB 536 in the 2014 Legislative Session (Appendix A). "DEP, in coordination with stakeholders shall conduct a comprehensive study and submit a report on the expansion of use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water in this state" Eammaimmeemsta Senate Bill 536 (SB 536) directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)to conduct a comprehensive study to determine how the use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water could be expanded to assist in meeting future demands. Three important terms—reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water—are defined as follows for the purposes of this study. Reclaimed water: Water that has received at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection and is reused after flowing out of a domestic wastewater treatment facility. Stormwater: The flow of water, which results from and which occurs immediately following, a rainfall event and which is normally captured in ponds, swales, or similar areas for water quality treatment or flood control. Excess surface water: Water that could be available for withdrawal from rivers, lakes or other water bodies that is in excess of the amount needed to sustain healthy ecological conditions in the water body and downstream waters and that otherwise meets the applicable consumptive use permitting criteria. 1.2 REQUIREMENTS OF SENATE BILL 536 Senate Bill 536 contains three procedural requirements for the comprehensive study: • hold a minimum of two public meetings to gather input on the study; • provide opportunity for the public to submit written comments before submitting the report; and, • submit report to Governor, Senate President and Speaker of the House no later than December 1, 2015. 11 SB536 Study Report The study report is required to: • identify factors that prohibit or complicate the expansion of the beneficial use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water and recommend how those factors can be mitigated or eliminated; • identify measures that would lead to the efficient use of reclaimed water; • Identify environmental, engineering, public health, public perception and fiscal constraints of expansion, including utility rate structures for reclaimed water; • identify areas in the state where traditional water supply sources are limited and the use of reclaimed water, stormwater, or excess surface water for irrigation or other purposes is necessary; • recommend permit incentives, such as extending current authorization for long-term consumptive use permits for all entities that substitute reclaimed water for traditional water sources that become unavailable or otherwise cost prohibitive; and, • determine the feasibility, benefit and cost estimate of the infrastructure needed to construct regional storage features on public or private lands for reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water, including the collection and delivery mechanisms for beneficial uses such as agricultural irrigation,power generation,public water supply, wetland restoration,aquifer recharge and waterbody base flow augmentation. 1.3 STUDY PROCESS AND STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT To direct the work needed to carry out the charge in SB 536,DEP formed a multi-agency planning workgroup including representatives from DEP,the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS),the Department of Transportation (DOT) and from the five water management districts (WMDs). In addition,technical teams of staff from these agencies were formed to collect and analyze information and assist in report preparation for the following topic areas. • Reclaimed Water • Stormwater • Excess Surface Water • Storage—Reservoirs • Storage—Aquifer Storage and Recovery(ASR),Aquifer Recharge (AR) and Dispersed Water Management(DWM) The Department used several tools to receive public input as part of the SB 536 Study, including: • a web-based survey conducted from August 7 -August 24, 2014; • five public workshops held in Panama City, Live Oak,Palatka, West Palm Beach and Brooksville in October-November 2014; • individual stakeholder meetings; • a webpage with study updates,workshop presentations and an e-mail address to submit comments; • teleconference access to agency study working group meetings; • a statewide webinar on the draft legislative report held on August 20, 2015; 12 SB536 Study Report • a public meeting on the draft legislative report held in Maitland on August 24, 2015; and, • an FTP site where the public could access all submitted comments, raw survey data and a recording of the webinar. A detailed description of the public input process and results is provided in Appendix C. 1.4 REPORT STRUCTURE The three types of water sources considered in this study,Reclaimed Water, Stormwater and Excess Surface Water, are discussed individually in Chapters 2-4. Each chapter provides the background and current status of the use of the water source in the state, a discussion of issues, constraints and impediments specific to that source and recommendations for reducing impediments and increasing the beneficial use of the source. Chapter 5 discusses Water Storage, which can be used in association with each of the water sources. P g Types of water storage techniques discussed in Chapter 5 include reservoirs, aquifer storage and recovery, aquifer recharge and dispersed water management. Recommendations for enhancing the use of these storage techniques are provided. Chapter 6 provides a Regional Analysis by water management district to identify specific opportunities or areas of emphasis for enhancing the use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water based on regional conditions. This chapter identifies the areas where traditional sources are limited and opportunities exist to meet water needs with reclaimed water, stormwater or excess surface water. Finally, Chapter 7 contains a summary of the recommendations for increasing the beneficial use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water. Additional detailed information is provided in Appendices A- F, including a list of acronyms used in the report in Appendix B. 13 SB536 Study Report 2 RECLAIMED WATER 2.1 BACKGROUND Reclaimed water is defined in Chapter 373, F.S. as "water that has received at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection and is reused after flowing out of a domestic wastewater treatment facility. The use of reclaimed water is an important component of both wastewater management and water resource management in Florida. Reclaimed water or"reuse"offers an environmentally sound means of managing wastewater that dramatically reduces environmental impacts associated with discharge of wastewater effluent to surface waters. In addition, use of reclaimed water currently provides an alternative water supply for many activities that do not require potable quality water(e.g. irrigation, industrial use,toilet flushing, aesthetic features,fire protection, etc.),which serves to conserve available supplies of potable quality water. Finally, some types of reuse offer the ability to recharge and augment available water supplies with high-quality reclaimed water. The Earth's finite supply of water is continually recycled and reused through the hydrologic cycle. Although not often acknowledged,many communities indirectly use reclaimed water for part of their water supply. Environmental professionals have long used the example of"unplanned"reuse along the Mississippi River. Minneapolis, St. Louis,Memphis and many other cities use water from the Mississippi and its tributaries,treat the wastewater and discharge the treated wastewater back to the river. These domestic wastewater discharges along with industrial discharges, agricultural runoff and stormwater discharges are all components of the water withdrawn,treated and used by New Orleans and other downstream communities. In Florida, groundwater is also recycled water. It is important to recognize that groundwater comes from the land's surface. Hence,the water percolating from the land's surface into the ground includes all of the inputs found in surface waters—agricultural runoff, urban stormwater and domestic and industrial wastewater inputs. In karstic areas of the state, entire rivers naturally flow underground through natural depressions or sinkholes, only to reappear via springflow. In addition,most reclaimed water land application projects (rapid infiltration basins, sprayfields, etc.) ultimately return water to groundwater, which may be available to down-gradient users. In Florida, groundwater accounts for about 90%of public and domestic water supply. Approximately 20%of Floridians safely consume groundwater without treatment or disinfection. While Florida's freshwater resources are finite,the state faces continuing population growth which is projected to result in an additional 4.8 million Floridians through 2030 (DEP, 2014). With population growth the state will see increased demands for water and increased volumes of wastewater,which must be managed to prevent pollution. At the same time, many areas of the state are approaching, or have exceeded,the sustainable limits of traditional groundwater supplies. Chapter 62-40, Florida Administrative Code(F.A.C.),the"Water Resource Implementation Rule" (formerly known as the"Water Policy Rule")requires the water management districts to assess their water resources and to designate "water resource caution areas." The designated water resource caution areas (areas having current or future critical water supply problems)are shown in Figure 2.1. These 14 SB536 Study Report water resource caution areas generally represent areas in the state where traditional water sources may not be adequate to meet expected water needs. Within these areas, water conservation, reuse and other alternative resources will play critical roles in ensuring adequate water supply. Telogia Gee Basel A Upper Suwannee River Alapaha River Basin _ Upper Santa Fe River Basin Vlbstern Panhandle Lower Santa Fe River Basin Northern Tampa ay Dover/Plant City Southern Water Use Caution Area cuff Of:Mexico South Florida VVRCA ij Water Management District NWFWMD SRWMD SJRWMD rt SWFWMD SFWMD Water Management Districts Boundaries Service Layer Credits:Sources:Esri.USGS, NOM Figure 2.1.1: Water Resource Caution Areas While Florida has been remarkably successful in implementing reuse -45% of wastewater is currently reused-more can be done. As reported in the 2013 Reuse Inventory, Florida disposed of over 960 million gallons per day(MGD) of wastewater effluent using deep injection wells, ocean outfalls and surface water discharges. This represents a waste of a valuable resource. Where technically, environmentally and economically feasible, reclaimed water should be reused for beneficial purposes. 15 SB536 Study Report 2.1.1 History of Reclaimed Water in Florida Before the mid-1980s Florida had limited reuse activity and very little institutional framework related to reclaimed water. Wastewater management in Florida was dominated by effluent disposal practices— surface water discharges, ocean outfalls and deep well injection disposal. Rules governing reuse were limited to those that dealt primarily with slow-rate land application systems (sprayfields) and rapid-rate land application systems (percolation ponds). In fact,the term"reuse" did not even appear in Florida's rules. As water quality constraints began to make it difficult to find suitable locations for new or expanded surface water discharges, some utilities began to look at various land application methods as a means for managing domestic wastewater. As a result,Florida saw the implementation of several notable reuse systems, including those in St. Petersburg, Gainesville and Orange County. The lack of comprehensive rules governing reuse posed significant hurdles for the early reuse projects. Significant differences in permitting approaches and requirements between DEP district regulatory offices created permitting uncertainties that further impeded progress. In the mid-1980s, DEP began development of a comprehensive reuse program in partnership with the WMDs. The Public Service Commission and the Department of Health became early partners reflecting their respective roles in dealing with investor-owned utilities and the protection of public health. The basic tenets of the reuse program have always been protection of public health and the environment. In the late 1980s, Chapter 403,F.S., established the encouragement and promotion of reuse as a formal state objective. Mandatory consideration of reuse became part of the wastewater regulatory program; the reuse program was initiated; comprehensive rules governing reuse were established; and Florida began to experience rapid growth in use of reclaimed water. This growth continues today. Figure 2.2 presents a timeline of reuse in Florida showing landmark reuse systems and significant milestones in the development of Florida's reuse program. 2.2 REGULATORY STRUCTURE FOR RECLAIMED WATER Over the last 30 years,Florida's regulatory structure has been specifically developed to encourage and promote the use of reclaimed water. Both DEP and the WMDs play a regulatory role in the use of reclaimed water. DEP regulations focus on water quality and ensure that reclaimed water is appropriately treated for its intended use in order to ensure protection of public health and the environment. The WMD regulations focus on water quantity, as reclaimed water is an alternative water supply source that can be used to meet the state's growing water demand. The WMDs do not regulate the use of reclaimed water through the consumptive use permitting program;however, regulations are in place to promote the development of reclaimed water supplies for use in lieu of higher quality sources where feasible. 2.2.1 Overview of Water Quality Statutes and Rules Related to Reclaimed Water • Chapter 403,F.S.,authorizes DEP to regulate domestic wastewater facilities including the issuance of construction permits and operation permits for reuse facilities. Section 403.064,F.S., establishes that the promotion and encouragement of reuse is a formal state objective and 16 SB536 Study Report requires certain applicants applying for wastewater permits in Water Resource Caution Areas to prepare reuse feasibility studies. Subsection 403.086(9),F.S.,provides that by December 31, 2025 the six existing ocean outfalls located along the Southeast coast are required to reuse a minimum of 60%of the facility's baseline flow for beneficial purposes. This equates to 175 MGD of additional reuse by 2025. Sections 403.064 and 403.086(9), F.S., are provided in Appendix D-1. 2010:L••CUA-Cenral IV[U•'began. 2010 -------- sending reclaimed water to two major industrial users. 2006:Reuse rules refined. 2003:Published Water Reuse for Florida— 2005 Strategies for EJfeclire Use ofReclaimed 71'aer. 2001:Hillsborough Corurrp MV begins cycle testing of a reclaimed 2001:0'C(Reuse Report published. "• water ASR well. 2000 1999 Reuse rules expanded. L„ 1998:Permit issued for the West Palm Beach indirect • potable reuse project. 1996:Retire rules refined. V2 1993:Rene CO/IMAMS published. \ 1Z 1995 iC 1992:Cape Coral begins operation(world's largest 1 1992:Water Rio ace Caution Arms designated. \ 4. resickntial irrigation system). 1990:Reuse odes refined. C 1991:Prujec[:1PR[COT begins 1989:Reuse rules created,State reuse '44 1)90 _oprratiah in Altamonte Springs. objectives added to Chapter 103,F.S. '�-- / begin operation. Wetlands' begins opntatiorm. 1988:Reuse added to the Nast Pol[c7: 1986:Water Corners•ll 1986:DEP initiates the Water Reuse Program. / 1985 begins operation. 1983:Land Appl cadonMwura[published. 19811:Tallahassee opens the Southeast Farm. 1980:lligh-level disinfection defined 1980 1978:LavahNChee River based on epperimental work of Dr. Environmental p Courm[District Flora Mae Wellings. begin reuse program. Cr 1977:St Petersburg operates their dual distribution bi ` Gainesville e� 1975 Galuesd[/e llagim injecting reclaims.'water to the Floridan Aquifer. 1976:Vero Reach supplies reclaimed water to a power plant cooling tower. 1970 1973:Fiesta tillage begins irrigation of a golf course. 1966:Tallahassee begins 1965 spray irrigation program. Figure 2.2.1: Florida's Water Reuse Timeline 17 SB536 Study Report • Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., entitled"Reuse of Reclaimed Water and Land Application,"contains detailed regulations governing reuse in Florida. Reuse is defined in Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., as the deliberate application of reclaimed water for a beneficial purpose. The rule identifies the most common types of reuse systems and establishes design, operation and maintenance requirements for these systems. These types of reuse systems are: o Slow-rate land application; restricted public access—the application of reclaimed water to a vegetated land surface, most often through spray irrigation,where public access is restricted. Treatment requirements for these systems include reclaimed water that has received at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection. o Slow-rate land application; public access—the irrigation of areas accessible to the public— golf courses,parks and similar areas—along with irrigation of residential properties and edible crops. A wide range of other activities also are addressed—toilet flushing, fire protection, street cleaning, decorative fountains, dust control and vehicle washing. These reuse systems feature reclaimed water that has received at least secondary treatment and high-level disinfection. o Rapid-rate land application—the deliberate application of reclaimed water at high rates to rapid infiltration basins (RIBs),percolation ponds, or absorption fields to recharge the groundwater. Treatment requirements for these systems include reclaimed water that has received at least secondary treatment, basic disinfection and meet the nitrate standard of 12 mg/L. o Aquifer Storage and Recovery(ASR)—the injection of reclaimed water into a subsurface formation for storage and recovery of the stored reclaimed water for beneficial purposes at a later date. It is only when reclaimed water,which has been stored in an aquifer, is recovered and used for beneficial purposes that the reclaimed water is considered to be"reused." Injected water must meet applicable groundwater requirements before injection. Recovered water must meet the performance standards for fecal coliforms as specified for high-level disinfection. o Recharge of Class F-I, G-I and G-II groundwaters—these types of systems include: • Injection of reclaimed water directly into those groundwaters; • Rapid-rate land application systems located over those groundwaters; • Use of reclaimed water to create salinity barriers to protect those groundwaters; and • Discharges to surface waters which are directly connected to those groundwaters. The treatment requirements depend on the type and class of groundwater into which the reclaimed water is injected. Groundwater recharge is also called Aquifer Recharge. o Indirect Potable Reuse(IPR)—This type of reuse system involves the planned use of reclaimed water to augment surface water resources which are used or will be used for public water supplies. IPR systems include discharges to Class I surface waters and discharges to other surface waters which are directly or indirectly connected to Class I surface waters. The treatment requirements depend on the class of surface waters to which the reclaimed water is discharged. While the injection of reclaimed water into a drinking water aquifer is also sometimes referred to as IPR,this is included as groundwater recharge in Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., as described above. 18 SB536 Study Report o Wetlands creation, restoration and enhancement—Reclaimed water can be used to create, restore, or enhance man-made wetlands as well as hydrologically altered wetlands. Wastewater wetlands that discharge to Class I waters or contiguous to Class I waters must meet the same requirements as other discharges to surface water. o Industrial Uses—Industrial uses of reclaimed water involve the use of reclaimed water for cooling water,wash water, or process water at industrial facilities. Reclaimed water cannot be used in food or beverage processing facilities where the reclaimed water would come into contact with food or beverages being prepared for human consumption. For most applications, secondary treatment and basic disinfection are required. Some uses would involve additional site restrictions. • Chapters 62-620, 62-600 and 62-601,F.A.C. These chapters establish permitting criteria and provide technical requirements for construction, operation and monitoring of all types of wastewater treatment facilities, including facilities that produce reclaimed water. 2.2.2 Overview of the Water Quantity(Consumptive Use) Statutes and Rules related to Reclaimed Water • Chapter 373,F.S., establishes the state's five WMDs and includes the authority for DEP and the WMDs to issue permits for the consumptive use of water. Similarly to section 403.064,F.S., section 373.250, F.S., finds that the"encouragement and promotion of water conservation and reuse of reclaimed water ... are state objectives and considered to be in the public interest." This section provides that a permit may not be required for the use of reclaimed water. However, when a use includes surface water or groundwater,the permit for such sources may include conditions that govern the use of the permitted sources in relation to the feasibility or use of reclaimed water. An applicant may be required to use reclaimed water in lieu of a proposed use of surface water or groundwater when the use of reclaimed water is "available; is environmentally, economically and technically feasible; and is of such quality and reliability as is necessary to the user." Section 373.250, F.S., is provided in Appendix D-1. • The WMDs implement these statutory provisions related to reclaimed water through their consumptive use permitting rules. The WMDs' rules are contained within Title 40 of the F.A.C. 2.3 CURRENT STATUS OF USE OF RECLAIMED WATER 2.3.1 Florida Over the past 30 years, Florida has made great strides in the expansion of reclaimed water systems and today Florida is recognized as a national leader in water reuse. Reuse is now an integral part of wastewater management, water resource management and ecosystem management in Florida. In 2013, Florida reused approximately 719 MGD of reclaimed water,which represents approximately 45%of the total domestic wastewater flow in the state (Figure 2.3). Figure 2.4 presents the amount of reclaimed water used within each water management district. A total of 482 domestic wastewater treatment facilities with permitted capacities of 0.1 MGD or above made reclaimed water available for reuse by 434 reuse systems. The total reuse capacity(total amount of water the facility is designed to treat)associated with these systems was 1,691 MGD. Figure 2.5 shows the percentage of reclaimed water utilization by flow for each reuse type. 19 SB536 Study Report Total Reused 45% ,'` 749 MGD Wastewater Disposed 55% Total Flow 1,468 MGD Figure 2.3.1: Percentage of Reused Wastewater in Florida in 2013 NWFWMD 1 SFWMD SJRWMD 10 MGD SRWMD 177 MGD •SWFWMD 719 MGD total reuse flow Data Source: (DEP,2014) Figure 2.3.2: Quantity of Reclaimed Water (MGD) Used Within Each Water Management District in 2013 20 SB536 Study Report Wetlands and Others 5% Industrial Uses 17% 101, Public Access IVIED 54% Groundwater Recharge 14% Agriculture Total Flow 719 MGD Irrigation 10% Note: Agriculture irrigation includes edible crops(e.g.,citrus)as well as feed and fodder crops(e.g.,spray fields). Figure 2.3.3: Percentage of Reclaimed Water Utilization in Florida by Flow for Each Reuse Type About 49 active domestic wastewater treatment facilities having permitted capacities of 0.1 MGD or greater do not provide reuse of any kind. These facilities had a total permitted capacity of 209 MGD and a total flow of 135 MGD. Not all reuse types are created equal in terms of benefitting water supply. That is, some types of reuse are more efficient than others at replacing the use of potable quality water withdrawn from ground or surface waters ("offsetting"potable water use"), or at recharging the aquifer. Therefore, from a pure efficiency standpoint, reuse that provides a 1:1 replacement of potable quality water, or a 1:1 recharge of the aquifer, is considered the most desirable from a water supply standpoint. Table 2.1 lists average Potable Quality Water Offsets and Recharge Fractions,which were developed as part of DEP's Water Conservation Initiative, for various reuse activities. However, the figures shown in Table 2.1 are generalizations. The desirability of individual reuse applications should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis as local conditions may result in differing levels of benefits. For example,reclaimed water may be more appropriate for aquifer recharge purposes in regions of the state where aquifer conditions enable the cost-effective use of rapid infiltration basins. Alternatively, the use of reclaimed water for wetlands restoration may achieve highly desirable local environmental goals. Domestic wastewater facilities that have permitted capacities of 0.1 MGD or more are required to submit an annual reuse report to DEP. DEP uses the information contained in these annual reuse reports to produce and publish the Annual Reuse Inventory Report each May. The statistics included in this section of this report are based on the 2013 Annual Reuse Inventory Report (DEP, 2014). The statewide average reuse flow per capita in 2013 was 37 gallons per day. Figure 2.6 shows the map of Florida's counties color-coded by range of reuse flow per capita. 21 SB536 Study Report Table 2.1: Relative Desirability of Reuse Activities High Indirect potable reuse -- 100 High Industrial uses 100 0 High Toilet flushing 100 0 High Rapid Infiltration Basins (where groundwater is 0 90 used) High Efficient agricultural irrigation where irrigation 75 25 is needed High Efficient landscape irrigation (golf courses, 75 10 parks, etc.) High Efficient residential irrigation 60 40 High Cooling towers 100 0 High Vehicle washing 100 0 High Commercial laundries 100 0 High Cleaning of roads, sidewalks, &work areas 100 10 High Fire protection 100 10 High Construction dust control 100 0 High Mixing of pesticides 100 0 Moderate Inefficient landscape irrigation(parks and other 50 50 landscaped areas) Moderate Inefficient agricultural irrigation 50 50 Moderate Surface water with direct connection to 0 75 groundwater(canals of SE Florida) Moderate Wetlands restoration (when additional water is 75 10 needed) Moderate Inefficient residential irrigation 25 50 Moderate Flushing&testing of sewers and reclaimed water 50 0 lines Moderate Rapid Infiltration Basins where groundwater is 0 25 currently not used Low Aesthetic features (ponds, fountains, etc.) 75 10 Low Sprayfields (wastewater disposal on grass or 0 50 other cover crop at irrigation rates higher than agronomically necessary; intended to provide some groundwater recharge) Low Wetlands (when additional water is not needed) 0 10 (a)Percentage of reclaimed water that replaces potable water; (b)Percentage of reclaimed water that augments potable groundwater or Class I surface water; (c)Depending on local circumstances,the offset and recharge may not be of equal importance. Modified from: (DEP,2002)page 151 22 SB536 Study Report Ilk ell*rill". 4014 .1111111111110 Per Capita Reuse Flow 2013 State Average=37.36 gpd/person Over 50 gpd/person . NIBetween 15 and 50 gpd/person 0 Below 15 gpd/person / EM Top 10 most populous counties • `+yf a% .� Figure 2.3.4: Per Capita Reuse Flow 2013 (gallons per day per person) 2.3.2 Nationwide Water reuse in the United States has grown over time for multiple reasons. One reason has been the increasingly stringent discharge requirements for treated wastewater. This, combined with the decreasing availability of traditional water supplies,has resulted in the increased use of reclaimed water in some regions of the country. More recently, incentives have spurred the development of water reuse projects. One example is the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California,which serves approximately 19 million people. To meet long-term water demands, Metropolitan provides a regional financial incentive program to encourage development of reclaimed water and groundwater recovery projects that reduce demand on imported water supplies. These factors, along with the desire to reduce the use of potable water for irrigation and other non-potable uses,have increased public acceptance of water reuse. Nationwide,treated municipal wastewater represents a significant potential source of alternative water supply. With the advent of stricter water treatment and discharge regulations in the 1970s, centralized wastewater treatment has become more commonplace in urban areas of the United States. With centralized treatment comes the ability to treat to acceptable standards and beneficially reuse the water. 23 SB536 Study Report Within the United States,the population generates an estimated 32,000 million gallons per day(MGD) of municipal wastewater(EPA, 2012). It has been estimated that a third of this amount could be reused (GWI, 2010) (Miller, 2011) (NRC, 2012). Currently only about 7 to 8 % of this water is reused in some way (as opposed to 45% in Florida), leaving an opportunity for expanding water reuse nationwide (GWI, 2010) (Miller, 2011). Continuing centralization of wastewater treatment will increase those opportunities into the future. Figure 2.7 shows the nationwide percentage of reclaimed water utilization by flow for each reuse type. Wetlands 4% Commercial 13% Wholesale 3% . Industrial 10% Irrigation 57% Recharge Total Flow 1,036 MGD 13% Source: (WateReuse Research Foundation,2008) Figure 2.3.5: Nationwide Percentage of Reclaimed Water Utilization by Flow and Reuse Type 2.3.3 Global Trends Globally,the sophistication of wastewater treatment practices varies widely and generalizations are difficult. In large parts of the world, the reuse of untreated,partially treated, or mixed wastewater, whether intentional or unintentional, is typically not practiced under a regulatory framework or protocol designed to ensure the safety of the resulting water for the intended use. Quite often it is in stark contrast to the practice in the United States, where wastewater treatment is ubiquitous. Alternatively, some international water reuse projects are sophisticated and trendsetting. Wastewater reuse worldwide occurs mainly for agricultural irrigation, but is also used for aquaculture, industry, drinking water, non-potable household uses, landscape irrigation, recreation and aquifer recharge (EPA, 2012). The amount of direct potable reuse (DPR) (highly treated domestic wastewater introduced directly into a municipal water system) and planned indirect potable reuse (IPR)remains low worldwide, but it is growing(GWI, 2010). The first DPR system (without the use of an environmental buffer)was brought on-line in the late 1960's in the city of Windhoek,Namibia. In this example of 24 SB536 Study Report potable reuse,purified municipal wastewater is introduced into the water treatment plant intake (after treatment to at least near drinking water quality), or blended with conventionally-treated surface water directly into the water distribution system after meeting the drinking water standards (EPA, 2012). Singapore provides an example where water reuse and potable reuse, has been made a national priority. Singapore is a small island city-state with no natural aquifers or groundwater and relies on rainfall and raw water imported from neighboring Malaysia. To achieve a sustainable and robust water supply to meet increasing water demand, Singapore diversified its water sources, including the establishment of the NEWater system. NEWater produces high-grade reclaimed water treated to drinking water standards,which is key to Singapore achieving its water sustainability. There are a growing number of examples around the globe of potable reuse primarily driven by pressures on water supply, along with increased public acceptance because of successful records of performance demonstrated by notable installations in the United States,Australia,Namibia, South Africa and Singapore (GWI, 2010)(NRC, 2012). Figure 2.3.6 illustrates the different uses of reclaimed water from advanced treatment facilities around the world. Environmental, 8% Other, 19% Industrial, 19% Recharge, 2% Irrigation,52% Source: (EPA,2012) Figure 2.3.6: Global Percentage of Reclaimed Water Utilization by Flow and Reuse Type (Includes only flows from facilities that provide advanced(tertiary)treatment) 2.4 STATE AND WMD INVESTMENTS IN RECLAIMED WATER Recognizing the legislative finding that the promotion and encouragement of reuse is a state objective, DEP and the WMDs have provided significant funding assistance for the planning, construction and implementation of projects that increase reuse. These projects help to achieve the dual goals of reducing the discharge of pollutants to the State's surface waters to help meet Total Maximum Daily Loads and providing an alternative source of water to meet growing water use needs. 25 SB536 Study Report A summary of DEP and the WMDs funding assistance for reclaimed water projects for the last ten years is provided in Table 2.2. Over$568 million was budgeted for reclaimed water projects between 2004 and 2014. Many Districts provide funding assistance in the form of cost-share assistance grants,which leverage additional funding from the cost-share partners. The Southwest Florida Water Management District(SWFWMD)had the highest level of funding for reclaimed water projects, budgeting an average of approximately$21 million per year. From the inception of the SWFWMD Cooperative Funding Initiative Program in Fiscal Year(FY) 1987 through today(FY2015),the District has budgeted at total of$408 million towards 357 reclaimed water projects with total costs of$956 million. At completion,the 357 co-funded projects will result in more than 950 miles of reuse lines, 245 MGD of capacity and 116-131 MGD of benefits. Over the past ten years,the South Florida Water Management District(SFWMD)has approved over $86 million for reclaimed water projects. That funding leveraged more than $400 million in construction costs of 192 reclaimed water projects. These projects had a combined increase in reclaimed water production capacity of 106 MGD. DEP funding is provided through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund(SRF)program,which provides low interest loans for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements that reduce or eliminate sources of water pollution. Over the last 10 years,DEP loans for reclaimed water projects totaled$198 million and averaged about$20 million per year or roughly 8%of the total clean water funding provided by DEP. In addition, over$18 million for reclaimed water projects was provided through the SRF Small Communities Wastewater Facilities Grants program. 2.5 ANALYSIS OF TYPES OF REUSE Previous sections of this report have identified the types of reuse that are currently implemented in Florida and are regulated by DEP under Chapter 62-610, F.A.C. An additional type of reuse, direct potable reuse, is implemented in other countries and is receiving increasing attention in the U.S. as a potentially viable reuse option. Each type of reuse has its own associated issues and considerations that may affect its potential contribution to expanding the state's beneficial use of reclaimed water. The most feasible or beneficial type of reuse can vary significantly by region or reclaimed water utility depending on the specific geology,hydrology, development patterns,population served, or other factors. Appendix D-2 provides an in-depth discussion of each type of reuse, its associated constraints and opportunities and Appendix D-3 provides examples of existing projects, including: • landscape irrigation/public-access reuse; • agricultural irrigation; • industrial reuse; • aquifer recharge; • environmental enhancement and restoration; • indirect potable reuse; and, • direct potable reuse. 26 SB536 Study Report 27 SB536 Study Report Table 2.2: Summary of Funding by the Water Management Districts and DEP for Reclaimed Water Projects over the Past Ten Years , ril , Northwest South St Johns Southwest Suwannee Department of Department of Florida Florida River Water Florida River Water Environmental Environmental Water Water Management Water Management Protection Protection Management Management District Management District Loans Grants District District District FY2004-05 $0 $2,940,000 $1,774,557 $18,441,017 $0 $11,815,184 $150,000 FY2005-06 $3,000,000 $16,856,380 $12,686,395 $29,378,507 $6,500,000 $6,917,016 $14,911,036 FY2006-07 $4,850,000 $16,526,600 $5,063,529 $19,862,511 $2,500,000 $35,539,971 $201,865 FY2007-08 $0 $27,193,450 $87,839 $18,110,037 $2,000,000 $2,735,629 $649,000 FY2008-09 $0 $11,995,983 $640,000 $25,751,413 $1,500,000 $37,322,527 $0 FY2009-10 $0 $1,060,000 $0 $19,672,706 $1,500,000 $25,924,538 $2,289,677 FY2010-11 $0 $3,704,700 $0 $17,088,388 $125,000 $24,412,699 $0 FY2011-12 $0 $1,570,000 $4,132,126 $15,380,739 $0 $10,569,762 $210,173 FY2012-13 $0 $2,500,000 $3,500,000 $19,294,703 $0 $14,294,378 $0 FY2013-14 $1,171,500 $1,739,100 $9,767,756 $21,691,124 $0 $28,779,394 $14,324 Total $9,021,500 $86,086,213 $37,652,202 $204,671,145 $14,125,000 $198,311,098 $18,426,074 28 SB536 Study Report 2.6 SUMMARY OF RECLAIMED WATER IMPEDIMENTS AND CONSTRAINTS There are presently a number of issues which represent impediments to the expansion of water reuse in Florida. This study compiled a list of these impediments and constraints after seeking input and technical comment from various state agencies, environmental and water supply professionals, stakeholder groups, local governments and the general public. Many of these constraints are discussed in Appendix D-2 as they relate to the various distinct types of reuse. Seven general categories of issues were identified that drive the expansion of water reuse in the state. • Cost and Funding • Matching Supplies and Demands • Regulatory • Water Quality • Public Input and Involvement • Long-Term Uncertainty • Scaling up to Regional Solutions This section provides an overview of the key issues, impediments and constraints to the use of reclaimed water in Florida. 2.6.1 Costs and Funding Lack of funding and the cost of developing or expanding water reuse systems are critical impediments to the development of reclaimed water supplies in Florida. During the course of this study,comments and input from agency staff,local governments,water industry professionals and members of the public frequently cited financial constraints as the primary factor impeding the expansion of water reuse. Development or expansion of water reuse systems for beneficial use can require a significant investment in water treatment, transmission and storage infrastructure. Infrastructure costs can vary depending on the magnitude and complexity of the system. Capital construction costs of the 275 reclaimed water projects funded under the Water Protection and Sustainability Program averaged $6 million per MGD of water provided. Data from the 90 reclaimed water projects funded within the SWFWMD over the last five years averaged capital costs from$7-8 million per MGD provided. In general,the less expensive projects,where users are located close to the source of the reclaimed water,are pursued early in a reclaimed water system's development. As a reclaimed water system matures,longer transmission distances between supplier and customers may lead to increased costs per MGD of benefit. Additionally, for projects involving ASR or AR, higher treatment requirements may lead to both increased infrastructure and operational costs. Table 2.3 shows comparative costs within the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) for traditional water supplies and alternative water supplies other than reclaimed water and Table 2.4 shows different types of direct and indirect potable reuse (SJRWMD, 2014). Indirect recharge 29 SB536 Study Report through the use of RIBs or wetland infiltration basins is generally cheaper than other forms of alternative water supply, while the increased treatment requirements for ASR or direct recharge significantly increase the final costs for these types of reuse. It is expected that the funding partnership between reclaimed water providers, WMDs and the State will continue to be essential to the expansion of the beneficial use of reclaimed water. Table 2.3: Comparative Costs within the SJRWMD for Traditional and Alternative Water Supplies \\met :_uppl■ \v.. Unit Cast `° t■pe of Total I. nit Co t Daily (`511000 Sou ce (` %100)) `goal) 1=loxygal) (NIGD) Upper Floridan Aquifer 10 $0.27 Traditional ' $0.27 Upper Floridan Aquifer 20 $0.25 Traditional $0.25 Seawater 10 $8.51 Alternative $8.51 Seawater 20 $7.21 Alternative $7.21 Brackish Ground Water 10 $2.55 Alternative $2.55 Brackish Ground Water 20 $2.05 Alternative $2.05 Surface Water 10 $2.43 Alternative $2.43 Surface Water 20 $1.74 Alternative $1.74 Source: (SJRWMD,2014) Table 2.4: Comparative Costs within the SJRWMD for Potable Reuse*. nit Cost °o C l nit Cost to vd j ustmc Iota I 1(g. Unit to Treat Rccov e nt for \djustc t!nit Potable.Reuse \Water Daily Cost for G\\ and 1 rcat [.asses d 'iId Cost Supl'Iv Source Flow S!1000 Injection Rcchar2e and Net \1GD 1000 MG') 2,al '!;-1000 d G\\ ml $!1000 Benefit to gal \quifer Ltal Saltwater Intrusion 10 $0.55 NA $0.27 15% 8.5 $0.94 Barrier Saltwater Intrusion 20 $0.49 NA $0.25 15% 17 $0.85 Barrier Rapid Infiltration 10 $0.60 NA $0.27 20% 8 $1.04 Basin Rapid Infiltration 20 $0.59 NA $0.25 20% 16 $1.01 Basin Created Wetland 10 $0.45 NA $0.27 25% 7.5 $0.90 Infiltration Basin 30 SB536 Study Report & �4 pia{ '.•t i` .� . nil 3D ail x �r Benefi tc � jai $/100 I '�,� � "�`� ,�'' ��� �;° �' a� jai Created Wetland 20 $0.44 NA $0.25 25% 15 $0.86 Infiltration Basin Direct Potable 10 $0.17 $2.94 $0.27 15% 8.5 $3.69 Aquifer Recharge Direct Potable 20 $0.16 $2.45 $0.25 15% 17 $3.11 Aquifer Recharge Aquifer Storage& 10 $0.29 $2.94 $0.27 5% 9.5 $3.68 Recovery Aquifer Storage 20 $0.29 $2.45 $0.25 5% 19 $3.14 and Recovery Direct Reuse 10 $3.91 NA NA NA 10 $3.91 Direct Reuse 20 $3.85 NA NA NA 20 $3.85 Source: (SJRWMD,2014) *Includes capital construction,operation and maintenance costs. When funding support for infrastructure is unavailable,the costs of this infrastructure is passed on the end users through higher rates,which can reduce economic feasibility for end users. Typically, reclaimed water users(customers) are charged for the commodity by the provider. In some cases, less-expensive water alternatives are available to the user. During the Consumptive Use Permit (CUP)application process,the water management districts require that the feasibility of alternative sources, such as reclaimed water, is considered for non-potable uses. However, if the use of reclaimed water is determined not to be economically feasible, then the use of ground or surface water will be permitted if all other criteria are met. 2.6.2 Matching Supplies and Demands The maturity of reclaimed water systems varies around the state. In areas where traditional, relatively cheap sources of water supply are available,there is little incentive for water utilities to invest in reclaimed water systems, particularly those types of reuse that provide potable water offsets. Financial and technical assistance from the WMDs or DEP is frequently needed to develop reclaimed water systems and to promote reclaimed water use in lieu of ground or surface water sources. However, in areas where traditional water supplies are limited and reclaimed water is recognized as a valued resource,the main constraint in increasing the use of reclaimed water becomes the ability of a utility to match the available reclaimed water supplies with reclaimed water customer 31 SB536 Study Report demands. The utilization rate(percentage of available reclaimed water used annually)of mature reclaimed water systems varies by utility. In a mature reclaimed water system where traditional sources are limited,typically only 50%to 70%of treated wastewater flows go to reclaimed water customers. The highest utilization rates occur in areas where large industries and numerous residential customers can be supplied. Utilization is limited primarily by seasonal differences in the supply and demand of reclaimed water and the availability of storage or supplemental sources. For an irrigation-based system, a utility typically commits to meeting peak demands of its customers,which occurs during dry periods when irrigation demand is the highest. During normal or wet periods, the utility disposes of the excess reclaimed water that is not used. Additional customers cannot be added unless the utility can meet their needs year round. For example, a reclaimed water system with a 1.0 MGD average annual flow normally is limited to supplying 0.5 MGD (50% utilization) on a yearly basis. This is because during the dry season, demand for reclaimed water for irrigation can more than double. There are five main options to increase reclaimed water utilization beyond the typical 50% threshold. These include: 1. Seasonal Storage including reservoirs and ASR systems to increase the flexibility of a reclaimed water system to store excess reclaimed water during high supply and low demand times and retrieve stored water during peak demand times and seasons. Seasonal storage is: o Critical for irrigation based systems such as residential and golf courses who need year round supply through peaks and troughs in demand; o Not necessarily important for industrial, mining,power generation customers who have large storage on site and/or use water consistently throughout the year. 2. System Interconnects to enable the transfer of excess reclaimed water from one utility to an adjacent reuse utility that has un-met customer demands. 3. Demand Management o Interruptible customer base that can use other sources of water during peak demand times o Appropriate metered rates to discourage wasteful over-irrigation o Irrigation schedules to spread out irrigation demands 4. Customer Selection and System Diversification to provide reuse to a variety of customer types which have non-competing demand schedules. For instance, recharge customers can be served with excess reuse at any time or season without competing with other reuse customers and power plants typically have peak reuse demands during the summer months when irrigation demands are at their lowest. 32 SB536 Study Report 5. Supplementation of reclaimed water supplies with other sources during short peak demands can enable the reuse utility to greatly increase its overall annual utilization rate. 2.6.3 Regulatory Several regulatory impediments were identified during the course of the study that constrain the use of reclaimed water. These include: • Underground Injection Control (UIC)Permitting. Obtaining a permit for ASR or AR with reclaimed water can be challenging. The cost of treating reclaimed water to drinking water standards as required prior to direct injection can be an impediment. The potential mobilization of arsenic into the groundwater from injection of reclaimed water adds uncertainties and cost into the permitting project and may jeopardize project success. • Lack of Regulatory Framework for Direct Potable Reuse. While a regulatory framework exists for indirect potable reuse,no regulatory framework currently exists should a community wish to pursue direct potable reuse. Absent a clear process and criteria, communities may be hesitant to pursue DPR projects. • Treatment Requirements for Supplementation of Reclaimed Water Systems. While the supplementation of reclaimed water systems can increase the beneficial use of reclaimed water,the treatment requirements for the supplemental water prior to comingling with the reclaimed water increases cost and are viewed by some as unnecessary. • Restriction on Irrigation of Edible Crops. Direct irrigation with reclaimed water is not allowed on edible crops that are not peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before consumption. Stakeholders have expressed concerns that this restriction is not technically supported and adds to the public perception that reclaimed water is not safe. • Local Regulation. Some local governments have adopted more stringent surface water and groundwater standards than the state standards,or instituted restrictions on the use of reclaimed water for landscape irrigation that otherwise meets DEP requirements. Such additional local restrictions can unduly limit the beneficial use of reclaimed water. • Coordination of Regulatory Programs. Lack of coordination between DEP and WMD regulatory programs may result in missed opportunities to match producers and users of reclaimed water, or to identify appropriate supplementation sources for reclaimed water systems. • Irrigation Wells. Landscape irrigators may install groundwater wells as a cheaper alternative to using available reclaimed water without adequate evaluation by the WMD of whether or not the use of reclaimed water is feasible and should be required as provided in s. 373.250(3),F.S. 33 SB536 Study Report 2.6.4 Water Quality 2.6.4.1 Nutrients There are a number of nutrient-impaired surface waters across Florida that are targeted for water quality improvement through existing or anticipated Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) (DEP, 2014). These efforts currently require the dedication of considerable local, regional, state and federal resources. While the process focuses on reducing nutrient inputs from all sources, one of the sources that is often identified in the BMAP process is wastewater effluent. In some cases, it is a significant source of nutrients to impaired waters. While substantial progress in meeting water quality goals was made when point source discharges of wastewater to waterbodies were eliminated,the development of reclaimed water for reuse has the potential to create new, or contribute to existing, impairments. To avoid this problem,the nutrient content of reclaimed water should be recognized and incorporated into waterbody nutrient budgets. Specifically, where reclaimed water is used for turf or crop irrigation, the incorporation of reclaimed water derived nutrients needs to be included within fertilization regimes. This approach will allow a reduction in the amount of fertilizer applied and save the reuse customer money,while reducing, or at a minimum not increasing,nutrient inputs to the landscape. 2.6.4.2 Environmental Substances of Concern In 2008,the conclusions of an internal DEP workgroup were published to evaluate strategies to effectively address a wide variety of potential contaminants, commonly referred to as Emerging Substances of Concern, or ESOC (DEP,2008). These include organic contaminants, such as flame retardants,pharmaceuticals and personal care products, endocrine-modulating chemicals, nanoparticles and biological metabolites. It is almost inevitable that small amounts of these compounds,which are manufactured to protect human health, improve consumer goods, or optimize agricultural production, are unintentionally released into the environment. Relatively recent improvements in laboratory analytical methods have enabled the identification of these substances,which likely have been present in waters for decades. It is important to note that water is not the only exposure route. Measurable amounts of these types of compounds are also found in air and food. According to a national study on the Irrigation of Parks, Playgrounds and Schoolyards with Reclaimed Water(1600 sites)there have been"no incidences of illness or disease from either microbial pathogens or chemicals." (WateReuse Research Foundation, 2005). The widespread use of reclaimed water can increase the number of pathways into the environment for ESOC in wastewater. This creates a challenge for governmental agencies, for the following reasons: • environmental monitoring and chemical-specific regulation for millions of substances is impracticable due to the sheer number of compounds and potential monitoring costs; and, 34 SB536 Study Report • uncertainty associated with the environmental fate,transport and toxicological effects of ESOC. 2.6.4.3 Salinity In some cases,reclaimed water can contain elevated salinity levels, most often in coastal areas where saline water seeps into the wastewater collection system. Elevated salinity in reclaimed water can affect its feasibility for certain types of reuse,particularly irrigation. In fact,the salinity of reclaimed water may be the single most important parameter in determining its suitability for irrigation(EPA, 2012). The salinity of particular reclaimed water can vary greatly from source to source. These salts in reclaimed water come from (Martinez & Clark, 2009): o ions naturally found in the water(from the original source); o ions remaining in dissolved form after separation of solids during treatment of the water; o any salts added during the treatment process or home water softening; and, o infiltration of saltwater into sanitary sewer lines prior to treatment(a possibility in coastal areas with high groundwater tables and older sewers in need of repair). The amount of dissolved salts and plant salt sensitivity need to be considered when determining if irrigation is a viable use for a given reclaimed water system. In coastal areas, greater efforts to reduce infiltration of saltier groundwater into wastewater collection pipelines may be necessary to reduce the reclaimed water's salinity and thus be better suited for irrigation purposes. 2.6.5 Public Input and Involvement Public input and involvement before and during the development and expansion of water reuse systems were identified as another important issue. The use of treated wastewater, even for non- potable uses,can elicit strong reactions from the public. As with other types of water projects, public support for reclaimed water projects can be critical to project success. The importance of involvement of elected officials and public education and participation, can be acute in the case of certain types of water reuse—especially indirect and direct potable reuse. The experiences of California and Texas in planning and implementing DPR projects clearly demonstrate that public education and involvement is key to project success. 2.6.6 Long-Term Uncertainty In 2012, legislation was passed that addressed the extent of DEP and the WMDs' authority to regulate the use of reclaimed water through the CUP program. The legislation provides that reclaimed water is not subject to regulation under the CUP program until the reclaimed water has been discharged into "waters," including rivers, lakes, impoundments, wetlands and all other waters or bodies of water. Concerns have been raised by some providers and users about the lack of long-term commitments to serve and receive reclaimed water. Some reclaimed water providers are reluctant to spend money and extend services to customers without long-term commitments from those end users. In contrast, some end users have expressed concerns about taking reclaimed water without a long-term commitment by the provider(utility). The end user's 35 SB536 Study Report concern is that their existing CUP for a traditional source of water(e.g. groundwater)may be relinquished, only to have the provider re-direct reclaimed water elsewhere. In that case,their previous allocation of groundwater may no longer be available through the CUP process. In contrast to the previous issue,where long-term commitments for reclaimed water are perceived to be a benefit, other stakeholders provided another perspective. In some cases, previous commitments by the utility may limit the ability to re-purpose that reclaimed water for more beneficial uses. 2.6.7 Scaling up to Regional Solutions Water reuse is permitted by DEP on a facility-by-facility basis and reclaimed water is typically distributed within jurisdictional or service area boundaries. Collection of revenue from reclaimed water usage is also primarily focused within utility boundaries. Scaling up reuse programs to regional networks provides a challenge, given the local nature of reclaimed water production, distribution,billing and customer service. The successful transition to regional reuse will depend on selection of optimal collaborators, careful coordination and governance and funding. 2.7 RECOMMENDATIONS The previous sections analyzed the types of water reuse and outlined the opportunities and constraints associated with expanding the beneficial use of reclaimed water. This section provides recommendations for reducing impediments and expanding the development of water reuse in Florida. 2.7.1 Funding/Cost Recommendations Lack of funding was identified as a critical impediment to the expansion of reclaimed water. The need for additional funding support to develop water reuse systems was identified during the study by local governments and utilities, agency and water management district staff, industry professionals and members of the general public. Reclaimed water can provide a cost-efficient, safe and sustainable water supply,but funding is needed to create the necessary infrastructure. Section 373.707(2)(c), F.S.,provides that"funding for the development of alternative water supplies shall be a shared responsibility of water suppliers and users,the State of Florida and the water management districts." The funding partnerships are essential for the expansion of the use of reclaimed water and should be maintained. Increasing funding support can alleviate fiscal impediments and greatly increase the feasibility of developing the infrastructure to realize expanded reclaimed water supplies for beneficial use. Priorities for funding should include reclaimed water projects that provide significant potable quality offsets or significant aquifer recharge that supports water supply goals or provides natural system restoration. The addition of significant storage facilities for reclaimed water,treatment upgrades to provide water quality suitable for aquifer recharge or indirect potable reuse, 36 SB536 Study Report transmission facilities to supply reclaimed water to large users and infrastructure to interconnect reclaimed water supplies are the types of projects expected to provide significant benefits. 2.7.2 Regulatory/Agency Action Recommendations During the development of this study,DEP and the WMDs received considerable feedback relating to the agency processes that might help expand the beneficial reuse of reclaimed water. Based on stakeholder input and building on lessons learned in previous reclaimed water efforts, DEP identified the following regulatory/agency action recommendations: 2.7.2.1 Reclaimed Water Aquifer Storage and Recovery and Aquifer Recharge Storing reclaimed water underground for future use and using reclaimed water to recharge aquifers affected by groundwater withdrawals, are both key elements to enhancing the beneficial use of reclaimed water and meeting future water supply needs. DEP should review the existing UIC rules applicable to reclaimed water and identify and pursue rule revisions that would streamline permitting of these systems while maintaining protection of groundwater resources and public health and safety. 2.7.2.2 Regulatory Framework for Potable Reuse Both indirect and direct potable reuse have promise for use in Florida to increase the beneficial use of reclaimed water and to ensure adequate water supplies for the future while sustaining natural systems. Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., currently provides a regulatory framework for indirect potable reuse involving the augmentation of surface waters with reclaimed water. Although not called IPR,the recharge of groundwater with reclaimed water is also addressed in the rule. DEP should review the existing rules that would apply to aquifer recharge for IPR to determine if changes or clarifications are needed to ensure that the rules provide adequate and clear guidance to applicants for IPR projects. Unlike IPR, DEP rules do not provide a clear regulatory framework for the implementation of a direct potable reuse project, should a community wish to pursue that option. Such rules require consideration of both the wastewater and drinking aspects of the regulatory requirements. DEP should adopt rules to establish clear procedures and criteria for implementing direct potable reuse, including treatment plant operator requirements for wastewater treatment plants that will produce water for direct potable reuse. 2.7.2.3 Supplementation with Surface Water, Stormwater or Groundwater The use of surface water, stormwater or groundwater for supplementation of reclaimed water systems is a tool that allows a utility to serve more customers and reduce the need for reclaimed water disposal. Stakeholders have expressed concerns that the treatment required by rule 62- 610.472, F.A.C.,prior to augmentation of reclaimed water systems is unduly burdensome and not necessary in all cases. DEP should review the treatment requirements for supplementation of reclaimed systems to determine if changes can be made that would reduce treatment requirements while maintaining appropriate public health and safety protections. 37 SB536 Study Report 2.7.2.4 Irrigation of Edible Crops Direct irrigation with reclaimed water is not allowed on edible crops that are not peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before consumption. Stakeholders have expressed concerns that this restriction is not technically supported and adds to the public perception that reclaimed water is not safe. Direct irrigation has been safely and successfully practiced in other states for decades. DEP,with assistance from the Department of Health, should review the restriction on the direct use of reclaimed water on edible crops in Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.,to determine if revision is appropriate. 2.7.2.5 Nutrients in Reclaimed Water Increased levels of nutrients in surface waters have raised issues and concerns about the potential contribution of nutrient loads from irrigation or aquifer recharge with reclaimed water. Reducing the nutrients in reclaimed water where feasible,providing adequate education to reclaimed water users so that fertilizer use can be reduced when irrigating with reclaimed water and providing best management practices to ensure that reclaimed water runoff does not reach surface waters, will all contribute to addressing these water quality concerns and promote the expansion of the reuse of reclaimed water. Specific recommendations include: • DEP should develop public education and outreach material on the nutrient content of reclaimed water, its value as a fertilizer,the need to balance use of commercial fertilizers in these areas so as not to exceed recommended overall nutrient application rates and cost savings associated with limiting commercial fertilizer application because of the nutrient value of the reclaimed water. The material should be distributed in areas where reclaimed water is provided to customers,with emphasis on BMAP areas. All information should be provided in the context of the harm associated with excess nutrient levels in surface waters and springs and should be made easily understandable to the average homeowner. The information should be disseminated by DEP, local governments, utilities and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences(IFAS) through Green Industries Best Management Practices training, local nutrient reduction programs such as Think about Personal Pollution, utility bills,public service announcements, nurseries,home improvement centers, garden clubs and other forums. • DACS should implement fertilizer offset Best Management Practices(BMPs)for all growers irrigating with reclaimed water. For example,the BMP manual "Water Quality/Quantity Best Management Practices for Florida Vegetable and Agronomic Crops"was last updated in 2006. The current draft update includes the following new BMP #3 for growers in the springsheds of large springs: "Do not exceed the IFAS recommended fertilizer rate for N and P, including any contributions from irrigation sources." • The BMP should be expanded beyond spring areas and the reference to "contributions from irrigation sources" should be more explicit about reclaimed water, including linking to information on the nutrient content of reclaimed water 38 SB536 Study Report being made available to agricultural areas. Similar information should be included in other BMPs where the use of reclaimed water is relevant. • In order to make nutrient concentrations of reclaimed water used for irrigation easily available to the user,the nutrient content of reclaimed water provided to utility customers for irrigation should be included in DEP's Annual Reuse inventory on a facility-by facility basis (DEP,2014). 2.7.2.6 More Restrictive Local Government Ordinances Some local governments have adopted more stringent surface water and groundwater standards than the state standards, or instituted restrictions on the use of reclaimed water for landscape irrigation that otherwise meets DEP requirements. Such additional local restrictions may unduly limit the beneficial use of reclaimed water. In these instances,the applicable WMDs and DEP should work cooperatively with local governments to develop mechanisms for exceptions to these local restrictions when all state requirements are met and water resources are not expected to be adversely impacted by the proposed reclaimed water use. 2.7.2.7 Coordination of DEP/WMD Programs Coordination between the water-related programs of DEP and the WMDs is critical to the timely identification of opportunities to increase the beneficial use of reclaimed water. In most WMDs, but not all, DEP wastewater permitting staff have periodic meetings with the WMD consumptive use permitting and water supply planning staff to allow the matching of potential users of waters with reclaimed water supply. DEP and the WMDs need to ensure that these coordination meetings take place at least bi-annually in each WMD to ensure that opportunities to match users and suppliers are identified. The use of stormwater for supplementation of reclaimed water systems has also been identified as a potential method for increasing the beneficial use of reclaimed water. DEP and the WMDs should establish periodic meetings between DEP wastewater staff and WMD environmental resource permitting staff to identify opportunities for stormwater from new development to be used for supplementation of reclaimed water systems. The program coordination processes discussed above may also serve to highlight projects for WMD reclaimed water cost share assistance. 2.7.2.8 Public Involvement and Participation Recommendations As Florida's water use regime shifts from traditional groundwater sources to alternative water supplies such as reclaimed water,public support will be essential to the success of expanding water reuse in the state. Public outreach by DEP and the water management districts is needed to inform and involve the public about the use of reclaimed water and build public support for the concept of water reuse—especially for newer concepts like potable reuse. The DEP, in coordination with the five WMDs, should establish a statewide education and outreach program for reclaimed water. The program should focus on educating the public on the treatment and uses of reclaimed water and building trust in current regulatory safeguards for all types of water 39 SB536 Study Report reuse. Partnership with groups such as the WateReuse Association will be important in providing the necessary science, engineering and expertise. Outreach with stakeholder groups will continue to be essential during the discussion and development of individual water reuse initiatives. 2.7.3 Recommendations for Providers and Users of Reclaimed Water In 2012, legislation was passed that addressed the extent of DEP and WMD authority to regulate the use of reclaimed water through the CUP process. The legislation provides that reclaimed water is not subject to regulation under the consumptive use permitting program until the reclaimed water has been discharged into "waters," as defined in section 403.031(13), F.S. Given the unique status of reclaimed water, in comparison to surface water and groundwater, recommendations are included for the providers and the users of reclaimed water. 2.7.3.1 Implement Mandatory Reuse Zones Local governments that currently operate or are contemplating the addition of a reclaimed water system, should consider the establishment of Mandatory Reuse Zones. Such ordinances require the connection to a reclaimed water system where made available by the utility and prohibits the use of potable water provided by the utility for irrigation and other non-potable uses that could be met by reclaimed water. This approach would be especially effective in protecting water resources in Water Resource Caution Areas,where it would have the benefit of reducing otherwise stressed sources of water. The concept was outlined in the 2012 final report by the Reclaimed Water Policy Workgroup (FWEAUC, 2012). 2.7.3.2 Implement Tiered Reclaimed Water Rates The second recommendation for local governments is to consider the use of tiered reclaimed water residential rates,where appropriate, to encourage efficient use of this resource. In areas where traditional sources are limited and reclaimed water has fully transitioned from a disposal option to a valuable water resource, efficient use of reclaimed water should be promoted. Price signals are one of the most effective methods of curbing wasteful use by customers. It is recognized that more efficient use of reclaimed water prompted by tiered rates may have the unintentional side-effect of creating disposal problems for the reclaimed water utility unless adequate reclaimed water storage facilities are available. Tiered water rates should be examined most closely by systems with storage capabilities. 2.7.3.3 Focus on Industrial/Commercial/Institutional Users Utilities with water reuse systems, or plans to develop a water reuse system, should explore potential industrial, commercial and institutional (I/C/I) sector customers for reclaimed water. Increasing the use of reclaimed water by the I/C/I sector is highly recommended for a number of reasons. First, I/C/I uses are the most efficient reuse activities in terms of potable quality water offset(DEP, 2002). As such, continued expansion of I/C/I reuse will extend water supplies to a greater extent than other types of reuse. Also, I/C/I uses are usually more cost effective for installation and maintenance, avoid disruptive retrofitting of older communities, sends more volume of water to fewer customers and offers more stable seasonal demands. In addition, 40 SB536 Study Report depending on the specific use, the nutrient concerns related to irrigation of landscaping may be avoided. 2.7.3.4 Long-Term Agreements between Users and Suppliers It is recommended that reclaimed water providers consider long-term agreements with end users. If cost-sharing with the state is involved, long-term agreements between reclaimed water providers and users should be required or strongly encouraged. Long-term agreements provide the utility with certainty of customers and recovery of costs and well as provide assurances to the end user that reclaimed water deliveries will not be redirected during the term of the agreement. 41 ur' IFAS Extension AE448 UNIVERSITY of FLORIDA Reclaimed Water and Florida's Water Reuse Program' Christopher J. Martinez and Mark W. Clark2 Introduction non-potable needs such as landscape irrigation. Conserva- tion measures such as irrigating with reclaimed water is one Reclaimed water is water from municipal wastewater treat way to reduce the use of existing potable water supplies. ment plants that has been treated to levels that allow safe use for designated purposes. "Water reuse"is the term used Reusing water has several environmental benefits: to describe the application of reclaimed water for beneficial purposes.Approximately 727 million gallons of reclaimed • Reduced groundwater withdrawals; water is used every day in Florida(Florida Department of Environmental Protection,2015).Florida is a recognized • Reduced need for new drinking water supplies such as leader in the use of reclaimed water,and its reuse program new surface water withdrawals or desalination plants; was the first recipient of the United States Environmental • Reduced need for new drinking water infrastructure Protection Agency Water Efficiency Leader Award in 2006. such as storage reservoirs,pipelines and water treatment Encouraging and promoting reuse in Florida is a state plants;and objective for conserving freshwater supplies and preserving • Improved water quality of the natural environment by rivers,streams,lakes,and aquifers. reducing the amount of nutrients that are discharged directly to surface and groundwaters. Why reuse water? Reusing water helps conserve drinking water supplies by While Florida receives a large amount of rainfall compared replacing the use of drinking quality water for non-drink- to other states,approximately half of the rainfall occurs ing water purposes.Opportunities for reusing reclaimed over the four months from June to September,and the water are numerous and include irrigation,industrial remaining half falls between the other eight months of cooling water,groundwater recharge,and preventing salt the year.Periodic droughts combined with increased water intrusion in coastal groundwater aquifers.In coastal demand for fresh,clean surface and groundwater for public areas,where the majority of the population of Florida lives, consumption have resulted in periodic and prolonged water groundwater is vulnerable to saltwater intrusion caused shortages.Florida's population is expected to increase from by over-pumping of groundwater.Reclaimed water can be 18.8 million in 2010 to 23.6 million by the year 2030 and used to recharge groundwater to form a barrier between freshwater needs are expected to grow from 6.4 to 7.7 bil- salt and fresh groundwater.The idea behind water reuse is lion gallons per day(Florida Department of Environmental simple:use the right water for the right use. Protection,2014).Currently a large percentage(40-60%) of potable water(drinking quality water)is used for 1. This document is AE448,one of a series of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department,UF/IFAS Extension.Original publication date July 2009.Revised November 2015.Visit the EDIS website at httpJ/edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Christopher J.Martinez,associate professor,Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering;and Mark W.Clark,associate professor, Department of Soil and Water Science;UF/IFAS Extension,Gainesville,FL 32611. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences(IFAS)is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research,educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race,creed,color,religion,age,disability,sex,sexual orientation,marital status,national origin,political opinions or affiliations.For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications,contact your county's UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S.Department of Agriculture,UF/IFAS Extension Service,University of Florida,IFAS,Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program,and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.Nick T.Place,dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Reusing water helps reduce environmental degradation of What is reclaimed water and how lakes,rivers,streams,and coastal waters by reducing the amount of nutrients that are directly discharged to natural is it produced? systems,which has been the traditional wastewater disposal Reclaimed water is treated wastewater that has received,at method.These same nutrients can be beneficial when a minimum,secondary-level treatment and basic disinfec- applied to irrigated landscapes and can reduce the need for tion at a wastewater treatment facility.There are three additional fertilizers(King et al.,2000;Lazarova and Asano, stages of wastewater treatment:primary,secondary,and 2005;U.S.EPA,2004).However,landscape irrigation with advanced(sometimes called tertiary treatment) (Figure 2). reclaimed water must be managed carefully to reduce the During primary treatment,suspended solids are removed potential for eutrophication of water bodies.Eutrophication by screening and settling.The water is then subjected to is the process where enhanced plant growth occurs in secondary treatment where biological decomposition response to excess nutrients entering a water body and can reduces complex organic material into simpler forms. potentially deplete dissolved oxygen. More information on The water is then separated from any remaining organic using reclaimed water for landscape irrigation can be found material and then either disinfected(often by chlorination) in Using Reclaimed Water for Landscape Irrigation at http:// and directly discharged,reused,or subjected to advanced edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE449. treatment.Advanced treatment facilities further remove solids,organic material,nutrients,or other chemicals using Traditionally viewed as a waste to be disposed of,reclaimed physical,chemical,or biological processes.After advanced water is now viewed as a valuable resource by conserving treatment the water is then disinfected before being water as well as for the supply of nutrients it contains. discharged(typically to rivers,lakes,or coastal waters)or reused.The main difference between reclaimed water that How is reclaimed water used in has received secondary vs.tertiary treatment is the level of nutrients that remain in the water.Tertiary treated water Florida? typically has 25%of the nitrogen and phosphorus contained In Florida,reclaimed water is used in a variety of ways with in secondary treated reclaimed water(Tchobanoglous et the largest amount used for irrigating public access areas al.,2003;Asano et al.,2007).However,the nutrient content (Figure 1).Public access areas include residential areas, of reclaimed water from a particular treatment plant will golf courses,athletic fields,parks,etc.Following public depend on the treatment processes used. access areas,the next largest uses are groundwater recharge Wastewater primary Secondary I Advanced i and industrial uses such as cooling water in power plants. Treatment Treatment * � Treatment Most of the reclaimed water used for agricultural irrigation L__ ___ is used to grow feed,fiber,or other crops that are not for Disinfection ---414 direct human consumption.Reclaimed water can be used • • to grow crops for human consumption in Florida,but it SludgeTreatment, Reclaimed must meet the same stringent treatment and disinfection Use or Disposal Water requirements as water for public access area use and it is Figure 2.The wastewater treatment process.Some or all of the not allowed to come in direct contact with crops that will reclaimed water can be reused.Advanced treatment is an optional step in the treatment process.Disinfection occurs after advanced not be peeled,skinned,cooked,or thermally processed.The treatment in facilities that use this step,otherwise disinfection occurs treatment and disinfection requirements for different uses after secondary treatment. of reclaimed water are discussed further below. Public Access What are the treatment Areas requirements for using reclaimed 16% III Agricultural water? Irrigation r©undwater There are no federal regulations governing the use of l 1.0 G Recharge reclaimed water,but the U.S.Environmental Protection 55% Agency has established guidelines to encourage states to Indutrmal LAPS. develop reuse programs(U.S.EPA,2004). Depending on 10% how reclaimed water is to be used in Florida,there are Wetlands& specific treatment requirements.These requirements, Other outlined here,are contained within Chapter 62-610 of the Figure 1.Reuse activities in Florida Credits:(adapted from FDEP,2015) Reclaimed Water and Florida's Water Reuse Program 2 Florida Administrative Code(FAC) and can be found on Lazarova,V.and T.Asano.2005.Challenges of sustainable the website of the Florida Department of Environmental irrigation with recycled water.pp 1-30.In:Lazarova,V. Protection(http://www.dep.state.fl.us/legal/rules/wastewa- and A.Bahri(eds).Water Reuse for Irrigation:Agriculture, ter/62-610.pdf).Table 1 shows the different types of reuse Landscapes, and Turf Grasses.CRC Press,Boca Raton,FL. systems in Florida and a brief description of the treatment and disinfection requirements for each.For a complete Parsons,L.R.2007.Reclaiming a Resource.Florida Grower, description of the treatment and disinfection requirements p 40,May 2007.http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/academics/ for each type of application,the reader is referred to faculty/parsons/PDF/MayParsons.pdf Chapter 62-610 via the above web link. Tchobanoglous, G.,Burton,F.L.,and H.D.Stensel.2003. More information on Florida's reuse program can be found Wastewater Engineering:Treatment and Reuse.Fourth on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Edition.McGraw Hill,New York,NY. Reuse Program website (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/ reuse/).For information on Water Consery II, a cooperative United States Environmental Protection Agency(U.S.EPA). water reclaimation program used for irrigating over 3,200 2012.Guidelines for Water Reuse.EPA/600/R-12/618. acres of crops(primarily citrus) in Florida see Parsons United States Environmental Protection Agency,Washing- (2007)http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/academics/faculty/ ton,D.C.http://nepis.epa.gov/Adobe/PDF/P100FS7K.pdf parsons/PDF/MayParsons.pdf. (last accessed 10/30/15) For information on using reclaimed water for landscape ir- rigation in Florida see Using Reclaimed Water for Landscape Irrigation at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE449. References Asano,T.,Burton,F.L.,Leverenz,H.L.,Tsuchihashi,R.,and G.Tchobanoglous.2007.Water Reuse: Issues,Technologies, and Applications.McGraw Hill,New York,NY. Florida Department of Environmental Protection(FDEP). 2015.2014 Reuse Inventory.Florida Department of Environmental Protection Reuse Program.http://www.dep. state.fl.us/water/reuse/docs/inventory/2014_reuse-report. pdf(last accessed 10/30/15) Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).2014.Annual Report on Regional Water Supply Planning.https://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/waterpolicy/ docs/2014_Annual_rwsp.pdf(last accessed 10/30/2015) Florida Department of Environmental Protection(FDEP). 2012.Reuse of Reclaimed Water and Land Application. Rule 62-610 Florida Administrative Code.http://www.dep. state.fl.us/legal/rules/wastewater/62-610.pdf(last accessed 10/30/15) King,K.W.,Balogh,J.C.and R.D.Harmel.2000.Feeding turf with wastewater.Golf Course Management 68: 59-62. http://ticpass.lib.msu.edu/cgi-bin/flink.pl?recno=63193 (last accessed 10/30/15) Reclaimed Water and Florida's Water Reuse Program 3 Table 1.Reuse system types in Florida Reuse System Type Reuse Activities Part in Chapter Treatment and Disinfection 62-610 Requirements' Slow-rate land application systems; Irrigation of pastures,trees,feed,fodder, II Secondary treatment and basic restricted public access fiber,or seed crops disinfection Slow-rate land application systems; Residential,golf course,and other III Secondary treatment,filtration,and public access areas,residential landscape irrigation high-level disinfection irrigation,and edible crops Toilet flushing Fire protection Dust control Aesthetic features(ponds and fountains) Irrigation of edible crops(direct contact only with crops that will be peeled, skinned,cooked,or thermally processed) Rapid-rate land application systems Rapid Infiltration Basins(RIBs) IV Secondary treatment,basic Absorption Fields disinfection,<12 mg/L NO3 Nb Groundwater recharge and indirect Salinity barriers V Principal treatment and disinfection potable reuse Augmentation of surface waters or full treatment and disinfection (depending on use)c Overland flow systems VI Low-level disinfection Industrial uses of reclaimed water Cooling water VII Secondary treatment and basic Wash water disinfection(additional treatment may be needed to meet needs of a Process water(not to include food particular application) processing for human consumption) a The reader is referred to Chapter 62-610 F.A.C.for specific treatment and disinfection requirements. Nitrate as nitrogen. cThe reader is referred to Chapter 61-610 F.A.C.for specific treatment and disinfection descriptions. Reclaimed Water and Florida's Water Reuse Program 4 JFIFAS Extension AE449 I UNIVERSITY of FLORIDA Using Reclaimed Water for Landscape Irrigation' Christopher J. Martinez and Mark W. Clark2 Why irrigate with reclaimed water? Environmental Protection Reuse Program website:http:// www.dep.state.fl.us/water/reuse/. Using reclaimed water to irrigate landscapes has increased in recent years as a way of conserving surface and ground- Salinity water resources. Reclaimed water irrigation conserves fresh water resources by replacing drinking quality water with All reclaimed waters contain some amount of dissolved reclaimed water.When used to irrigate residential areas, mineral salts.The salinity of reclaimed water may be the golf courses,public school yards,and parks,reclaimed single most important parameter in determining its suit- water receives treatment and high-level disinfection and is ability for irrigation(US EPA 2012).Water salinity is the not considered a threat to public health(FDEP 2012;US sum of all elemental ions(e.g.boron,calcium,chloride, EPA 2015).However,the water quality of reclaimed water sodium,sulfate,etc.) contained within the water.The salin- differs from that of drinking quality water or rainfall and ity of a particular reclaimed water can vary greatly from should be considered when used to irrigate landscapes.Of source to source.These salts in reclaimed water come from: particular importance to landscape health and environmen- tal quality are the salts and nutrients in reclaimed water. • Ions naturally found in the water(from the original Special management practices may be required depending source); on the quantity of salts supplied in reclaimed water and • Ions remaining in dissolved form after separation of the salt-sensitivity of the plants irrigated.Depending on solids during treatment of the water; the quantity and timing of nutrients supplied by reclaimed • Any salts added during the treatment process;and water,the need for additional fertilizers could be signifi- cantly reduced.Applying fertilizers at recommended rates • Infiltration of salt water into sanitary sewer lines prior to without accounting for the nutrients in reclaimed water treatment(a possibility in coastal areas with high ground- could result in applying more nutrients than is necessary or water tables and older sewers in need of repair). that can be used by the plant or retained by the soil,poten- The salinity of water is measured as the electrical conduc- tially resulting in excess nutrients running off or leaching to tivity(EC)or total dissolved solids(TDS) in the water. groundwater and degrading water quality. The amount of total dissolved solids is determined by allowing a sample of water to evaporate and then weighing More information on reclaimed water,how it is produced, what remains.Total dissolved solids is usually reported as and Florida's reuse program can be found at http:// milligrams of solids per liter of water(mg/L)or parts per edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE448,and the Florida Department of million(ppm).These units are approximately equivalent: 1. This document is AE449,one of a series of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department,UF/IFAS Extension.Original publication date July 2009.Revised November 2015.Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Christopher J.Martinez,associate professor,Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering;and Mark W.Clark,associate professor, Department of Soil and Water Science;UF/IFAS Extension,Gainesville,FL 32611. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences(IFAS)is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research,educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race,creed,color,religion,age,disability,sex,sexual orientation,marital status,national origin,political opinions or affiliations.For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications,contact your county's UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S.Department of Agriculture,UF/IFAS Extension Service,University of Florida,IFAS,Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program,and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.Nick T.Place,dean for UF/IFAS Extension. 1 mg/L= 1 ppm(1) to salinity levels.For example,crape myrtle(Lagerstroemia spp.) and azaleas(Rhododendron spp.)have fairly low salt In water,EC is a measure of the flow of an electrical tolerance(Crook 2005).For a comprehensive list of salt current.The current is carried by the ions in the water. tolerances of a variety of Florida landscape trees,shrubs, The more ions in the water,the higher the EC.The EC is and groundcovers see Black(2003)online at:http://ufdc.ufl. measured in units of milli-mhos per centimeter(mmhos/ edu/IR00001713/00001.Additional salt-tolerant plants can cm) or deci-Siemens per meter(dS/m).These two units of also be found in the report by Wu and Dodge(2005)online measuring the EC in water are equivalent: at:http://slosson.ucdavis.edu/files/215300.pdf[10/30/15], however many of the plants listed are not grown in Florida. 1 mmho/cm= 1 dS/m(2) Electrical conductivity can be used to approximate TDS Salinity Control using the following equation: For salt-sensitive plants it is important to consider their irrigation requirements since over-irrigation could affect TDS(mg/L or ppm)=EC(mmho/cm or dS/m)x 640(3) plant health by allowing salts to accumulate,particularly in the dry season when frequent rains do not occur that would Soil Salinity otherwise leach salts from the soil.For salt sensitive plants that are irrigated appropriately(not over-irrigated),peri- Of most concern to landscape plants is the salinity in the odic heavy rains will leach salts that have accumulated in soil,which can be affected by irrigating with water that has the root zone and the plant will not be constantly exposed a high salt content.The rate that salt can build up in soil to to the salts. undesirable levels depends on: Special management may be required when reclaimed wa- • The salt content of irrigation water; ter with high salt content is used for irrigating salt sensitive • The amount of irrigation water applied; plants.First,over-irrigation during dry periods should be • The amount of rainfall; avoided to limit the total amount of salt supplied to the soil. Second,periodic intentional leaching may be required to • The rate of evapotranspiration(transpiration of water remove accumulated salts from the soil.Intentional leach- from plants and evaporation from soil);and ing may be most important during periods of low rainfall • The characteristics of the soil. or when there is a lack of heavy rains that would leach the Applying large amounts of high salinity water could salts naturally.For more information on irrigating with affect the salt content of the soil which could then affect high salinity water,salinity effects on plants,and controlled landscape plants.However,climates that receive large leaching to remove salts from the soil see Haman et al. amounts of rainfall(like Florida) are less affected by salt (2005)online at http://ufdc.ufl.edu/IR00003289/00001. accumulation in the soil for two reasons: 1)large and frequent rainfall events reduce the need for irrigation and Nutrients 2)large and frequent rainfall events periodically leach salts An often overlooked aspect of reclaimed water is the from the soil,preventing it from accumulating.Rainfall has nutrients it contains,particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. very low salinity.For more information on irrigating with When reclaimed water is used for uses other than irriga- high salinity water see Haman et al. (2005) online at http:// tion,such as for industrial cooling water,these nutrients ufdc.ufl.edu/IR00003289/00001. can be detrimental since nutrients can encourage biological growth which can cause equipment fouling.In these Plant Sensitivity to Salinity situations an additional treatment process is often used to Plants differ in their sensitivity to salinity,so the salt remove nutrients and avoid any problems.However,for ap- content of a reclaimed water source should be evaluated so plication to the landscape these nutrients can be beneficial it can be used most appropriately. Many turfgrasses grown and can supply a significant portion of plant needs(US EPA in Florida show moderate to high tolerance to salinity levels 2004).This can then reduce the amount of fertilizer that (Table 1),so the use of reclaimed water for irrigation should might be applied(King et al.2004;Lazarova et al.2005b; not impact the quality of the turf,particularly if irrigation US EPA 2004).Supplemental fertilization with specific is not applied when it is not needed.However,other nutrients not provided by reclaimed water may still be landscape plants show large variations in their sensitivity Using Reclaimed Water for Landscape Irrigation 2 required depending on plant species and the recommended approximately 5 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 square feet of rates for desired results. turf.Menzel and Broomhall(2006)found that reclaimed water could supply 23%of the nitrogen and 98%of the Nutrient Content of Reclaimed Water phosphorus required for maximum shoot growth in several The nutrient content of reclaimed water varies depending warm-season turfgrasses. on the treatment processes used.In general,treatment plants that use advanced treatment methods typically pro- Incorporating Reclaimed Water into duce reclaimed water with lower nutrient levels than those Fertilization Plans that use secondary treatment methods.However,advanced A significant amount of the nutrients in reclaimed water treated reclaimed water still often contains higher nutrients are readily available to plants and should be incorporated than drinking-quality water or rainfall.More information into landscape fertilization plans.Incorporating nutrients on secondary and advanced treatment methods and the supplied in reclaimed water into golf course fertility production of reclaimed water can be found at http://edis. plans has been recommended by several turfgrass experts ifas.ufl.edu/AE448.The amount of nutrients contained in (Duncan et al. 2000;Harivandi 2004;Huck et al. 2000;King reclaimed water also varies from utility to utility and can et al.2000).The nutrients in reclaimed water are believed vary at different times of year,so it is important to know to be efficiently used by turfgrasses since they are applied the nutrient content of the water you receive so you can on a regular basis by irrigation even if they are only present incorporate this source into a landscape fertility plan. in low concentrations(Harivandi 2000).Depending on Contact your local utility to find out the nutrient content of the nutrient content,using reclaimed water for irrigation your reclaimed water. has the potential to provide a significant portion of the nitrogen and potentially all of the phosphorus required by Plant Availability of Nutrients in turfgrass(Menzell and Broomhall 2006).Incorporating Reclaimed Water nutrients from reclaimed water into the nutrient budget The nitrogen and phosphorus in reclaimed water are mainly can also allow for the reduction in high-dose applications present as inorganic ammonium,nitrate,and phosphate of nitrogen fertilizer which could in turn increase nutrient ions with a smaller proportion of organic forms.The uptake efficiency(King et al.2000).The value of nutrients organic forms are typically composed of dissolved and fine in reclaimed water can be an important economic consider particulates and are a mixture of amino acids,proteins, ation,particularly as the cost of fertilizers increase with the sugars,and starches(Lazarova et al.,2005a).The exact cost of energy used to produce them. composition of a given reclaimed water will vary from util- ity to utility.The simple organic forms found in reclaimed When incorporating nutrients from reclaimed water into water are products of the decomposition of more complex landscape fertilization plans it is also important to account forms during treatment at the wastewater treatment facility. for the timing of application since the relatively constant, In warm climates such as Florida these simple organic low dosage provided by irrigation with reclaimed water nutrient forms are typically readily converted to inorganic may not supply the right amount of nutrient at the right forms(ammonium and phosphate)by soil microorgan- time. isms(Lazarova et al.,2005a).Ammonium is then rapidly converted to nitrate in well drained soils.However the Storage Loss exact amount of the organic forms that can be converted to Depending on how a utility manages reclaimed water inorganic forms and used by plants may vary by reclaimed there is a possibility that some of the nutrients in the water water source and is a topic in need of further research. will be lost between the point they are measured(at the treatment plant) and the point of irrigation.Some loss of Several studies have evaluated the ability of turfgrasses nutrients can occur if storage is in open ponds where algae to use nutrients supplied in reclaimed water.Sidle and and other microorganisms can take up some of the nutri- Johnson(1972)found bermudagrass-annual ryegrass ents and remove them from the water.Loss during storage capable of taking-up up to 90%of the nitrogen applied is of less concern when closed tanks are used.Closed tanks in wastewater(between 13-26 ppm) at irrigation rates are sometimes preferred by utilities since the algae pro- between 1.3 and 2.8 inches per week during active growth. duced in open ponds can sometimes clog irrigation systems In a study in Arizona using common bermudagrass over- and increase maintenance requirements by the utility before seeded with perennial ryegrass Hayes et al. (1990a,b)found the water enters the distribution system. that the secondary effluent used for irrigation supplied Using Reclaimed Water for Landscape Irrigation 3 Potential Environmental Impacts Florida Department of Environmental Protection(FDEP). Use of reclaimed water can significantly reduce demand 2012.Reuse of Reclaimed Water and Land Application. on high quality fresh water,allowing those resources to be Rule 62-610 Florida Administrative Code.http://wwwdep. conserved for more important uses.However,nutrients in state.fl.us/legal/rules/wastewater/62-610.pdf(last accessed reclaimed water,if not managed appropriately,can result 10/30/2015) in impacts to downstream environments.All nutrient Haman,D.Z.,Capece,J.C.,and A.G.Smajstrla 2005. applications to the landscape should be accounted for whether they are in the form of fertilizers or reclaimed Irrigating with high salinity water.BUL322;Gainesville: water.Soil tests should be used to determine the need for University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sci fertilizer application.Special caution should be taken when ences.http://ufdc.ufl.edu/IR00003289/00001 (last accessed using reclaimed water in soils that already contain adequate 10/30/2015) phosphorus for plant growth. Overspray of reclaimed water Harivandi,M.A.2000. "Irrigating turfgrass and landscape onto impervious surfaces such as roads,driveways,and plants with municipal recycled water."Acta Horticulturae sidewalks should be avoided since this results in reclaimed 537: 697-703. water entering the stormwater system,increasing nutrient loads to retention ponds and increasing plant and algal Harivandi,M.A.2004. "Evaluating recycled waters for growth. Grass clippings and fertilizer left in a curb or gutter golf course irrigation." U.S. Golf Association Green Section also will be washed down the drain in the next storm and Record 42(6):25-29.http://gsrpdf.lib.msu.edu/ticpdf. can create problems downstream.The same scenario applies py?file=/2000s/2004/041125.pdf(last accessed 10/30/2015) to nutrient rich reclaimed water that finds its way into the stormwater system.Additional fertilization at recom- Hayes,A.R.,Mancino,C.F.,Forden,W.Y.,Kopec,D.M.,and mended rates without accounting for the nutrients within I.L.Pepper. 1990a. "Irrigation of turfgrass with secondary reclaimed water could result in applying more fertilizer sewage effluent:II.Turf quality."Agronomy Journal 82: than is necessary or can be used by the plant,potentially 943-946. resulting in excess nutrients leaching to groundwater or running off and degrading water quality of surface waters. Hayes,A.R.,Mancino,C.F.,and I.L.Pepper. 1990b. "Irriga- tion of turfgrass with secondary sewage effluent:I.Soil and References leachate water quality."Agronomy Journal 82:939-943. Black,R.J.2003. Salt tolerant plants for Florida.ENH26. Huck,M., Carrow,R.N.and R.R.Duncan.2000. "Effluent Gainesville:University of Florida Institute of Food and Ag w ater:Nightmare or dream come true?" U.S. Golf As- ricultural Sciences.http://ufdc.ufl.edu/IR00001713/00001 sociation Green Section Record 38(2); 15-29.http://gsrpdf. (last accessed 10/30/2015) lib.msu.edu/ticpdfpy?file=/2000s/2000/000315.pdf(last Crook,J.2005. "St.Petersburg,Florida,dual water system: accessed 10/30/2015) A case study."In Water conservation, reuse, and recycling. King,K.W.,Balogh,J.C.,and R.D.Harmel.2000. "Feeding Proceedings of an Iranian American workshop.The turf with wastewater." Golf Course Management.68:59-62. National Academies Press,Washington,D.C.http://books. http://ticpass.lib.msu.edu/cgi-bin/flink.pl?recno=63193 nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11241&page=175(last (last accessed 10/30/2015) accessed 10/30/2015) Lazarova,V.,Bouwer,H.,and A.Bahri.2005a. "Water qual- Duncan,R.R.,Carrow,R.N.and M.Huck.2000. "Under ity considerations."pp 31-60.In:Lazarova,V.and A.Bahri standing water quality and guidelines to management." (eds). Water Reuse for Irrigation:Agriculture, Landscapes, Green Section Record 38(5): 14-24.http://gsrpdf.lib.msu. and Turf Grasses. CRC Press,Boca Raton,FL. edu/ticpdf.py?file=/2000s/2000/000914.pdf(last accessed 10/30/2015) Lazarova,V.,Papadapolis,I.,and A.Bahri.2005b. "Code of successful agronomic practices."pp 103-150.In:Lazarova, Duncan,R.R.,Carrow,R.N. and M.Huck.2009. Turfgrasses V. and A.Bahri(eds). Water Reuse for Irrigation:Agricul- and Landscape Irrigation Water Quality-Assessment and ture, Landscapes, and Turf Grasses.CRC Press,Boca Raton, Management.CRC Press,Boca Raton,FL. FL. Using Reclaimed Water for Landscape Irrigation 4 Menzel,C.M.and P.Boomhall.2006."Response of tropical turfgrasses to recycled water in southern Queensland."Aus- tralian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46: 1645-1652. Sidle,R.C.and G.V.Johnson. 1972. "Evaluation of a turfgrass-soil system to utilize and purify municipal wastewater."Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest 2:277-289. United States Environmental Protection Agency(U.S.EPA). 2012. Guidelines for Water Reuse.EPA/600/R-12/618. United States Environmental Protection Agency,Washing- ton,D.C.http://nepis.epa.gov/Adobe/PDF/P100FS7K.pdf (10/30/2015). Wu,L. and L.Dodge.2005.Landscape plant salt tolerance guide for recycled water irrigation.Slosson Research Endow- ment for Ornamental Horticulture,Department of Plant Sciences,University of California,Davis,CA.http://slosson. ucdavis.edu/files/215300.pdf(10/30/2015) Table 1.Salinity tolerance levels ofTurfgrass in Florida. Very Moderately Moderately Tolerant Very Superior Sensitive Sensitive Tolerant (6 to 10 dS/m) Tolerant Tolerance (<1.5 dS/m) (1.5 to 3 dS/m) (3 to 6 dS/m) (10 to 18 dS/m) (>18 dS/m) Centipedegrass Most Zoysiagrasses Bahiagrass Common St.Augustinegrass Seashore Bermudagrass paspalum Annual Ryegrass Hybrid Bermudagrasses Using Reclaimed Water for Landscape Irrigation 5 OFI IFAS RSITY of Extension SL339 UNIVE FLORIDA Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape: Frequently Asked Questions about Reclaimed Water' Gurpal S.Toor and Mary Lusk2 This fact sheet is one of a series titled Reclaimed Water Use for drinking,it has been used throughout the United States in the Landscape addressing various issues related to use and the world for decades as an ideal choice for watering and management of reclaimed water in urban landscapes. lawns and crops,recharging groundwater,and in industrial processes. As Florida's population grows,so does the demand for fresh,clean water.With increased demands for potable 2.Is reclaimed water the same thing as gray water? water(drinking-quality water) come important water management concerns.This includes protecting the envi- No. Gray water is generated from domestic activities like ronment that provides fresh water while still acquiring the laundry,dishwashing, and bathing,and is recycled on-site volume of water we need for everyday uses,such as drink- (at its place of origin),often without any preliminary treat- ing,sanitary purposes,and landscape irrigation.The use ment.Gray water may be directly recycled within the home of reclaimed water helps us preserve high quality drinking or garden after being collected with a separate plumbing water by providing a reliable and economical alternative system that contains no human waste.In contrast,re- source of irrigation water.The following frequently asked claimed water is not recycled on-site;it is diverted from the questions address common concerns and questions about place of origin to a wastewater treatment plant,treated,and the origin and use of reclaimed water in Florida. sent back to the community for reuse. 1.What is reclaimed water? 3.How is reclaimed water produced? Reclaimed water,also known as recycled water or reuse Reclaimed water is produced at a wastewater treatment water,is former domestic wastewater that has been plant.At the treatment plant,domestic wastewater is disinfected and treated to remove solids and certain collected from households,schools,offices,hospitals,and impurities.After treatment at a wastewater treatment plant, commercial and industrial facilities,and then undergoes the cleansed water can be safely discharged into a nearby several stages of treatment to prepare the water for reuse or stream,wetland, or ocean,or this water source may be discharge into the environment.The treatment processes piped back into communities for reuse by various residen- are designed to ensure that reclaimed water is safe and tial,industrial,and commercial users.The use of reclaimed reliable for its intended use. water is a method to recycle water,plus it helps to conserve water resources.Though reclaimed water cannot be used 1. This document is SL339,one of a series of the Soil and Water Science Department,UF/IFAS Extension.Original publication date January 2011. Reviewed June 2015.Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Gurpal S.Toor,assistant professor;and Mary Lusk,student assistant,Department of Soil and Water Science,Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension,Gainesville,FL 32611. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences(IFAS)is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research,educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race,creed,color,religion,age,disability,sex,sexual orientation,marital status,national origin,political opinions or affiliations.For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications,contact your county's UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S.Department of Agriculture,UF/IFAS Extension Service,University of Florida,IFAS,Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program,and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.NickT.Place,dean for UF/IFAS Extension. The stages of treatment include the following: withdrawn to meet the needs of a rapidly growing popula- tion in Florida. • Primary treatment—the sewage is temporarily held in a basin so solid waste materials can settle to the bottom and 6.How is reclaimed water transmitted? be removed. • Secondary treatment—after the solids are removed Reclaimed water is transmitted from a wastewater treatment plant to a community via a series of pipes.All by primary treatment,the water left behind is further treated to remove or degrade any remaining wastes still reclaimed water piping,heads,valves,fixtures, etc.,are suspended in the water. required by law to be color-coded"purple"and labeled"Do not drink this water" (see Figure 1). • Tertiary treatment—a final stage that involves advanced removal of harmful chemicals and disinfection to kill _-' r disease-causing organisms. �,moo. Note that the minimum requirement for treating reclaimed � water is secondary treatment in Florida,although many • treatment plants use tertiary treatment.Treated,or"re- Sour.h r.s :eft.hs„sf claimed,"water then flows out of the wastewater treatment 'K plant and is piped back to the community for its intended use. 4.How is reclaimed water used in the landscape? Though reclaimed water cannot be used for drinking water cnmt:Ste.• TEAS in Florida,this water can be used for various non-drinking i t purposes,including the following: 1' ° 4 " . ^ m • watering lawns and landscapes sal • irrigating golf courses,parks,and highway medians t t. tt ' t" • agricultural uses,including irrigating food crops crc�•:"s• B�on vF ,phen • filling decorative fountains and ponds Figure 1.Reclaimed water transmission network. • washing cars,flushing toilets,and cleaning streets 7.Who is responsible for the maintenance and repairs of • recharging groundwater the reclaimed water system? • supplying water flow to wetlands In most instances,the county or city in which you reside • industrial uses,such as those that require cooling water is responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the 5.What are the benefits of using reclaimed water? reclaimed water transmission and distribution lines.The homeowners are responsible for any repairs or maintenance The main benefit of using reclaimed water is that its use from the reclaimed water box to their irrigation system replaces the use of potable water.In 2009,use of reclaimed located on their private property. water substituted for more than 127 billion gallons of drinking water while serving to add more than 79 billion 8.How does reclaimed water differ from drinking water? gallons back to available groundwater supplies. Using reclaimed water for non-drinking purposes extends our Reclaimed water is highly treated and disinfected but still freshwater supplies and ensures sustainable use of a vital contains some constituents at levels outside the desirable natural resource.Reclaimed water also reduces the cost range for drinking water.Specifically,reclaimed water of landscape irrigation compared to using potable water, may have higher levels of salts,nutrients (nitrogen and which is generally priced higher to consumers.When phosphorus),and pathogens(e.g.,bacteria and viruses). used for irrigation,reclaimed water moves vertically Reclaimed water has been safely used for non-drinking and can recharge groundwater aquifers.Recharging our purposes in Florida for more than 40 years,but because of groundwater aquifers is critical because it replaces the water Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape:Frequently Asked Questions about Reclaimed Water 2 its composition,this water source should never be used for 10.Is reclaimed water safe for irrigating my vegetable drinking or sanitary purposes. garden? 9.Is reclaimed water safe for irrigating turf and other The Florida Department of Environmental Protection landscape plants? states that reclaimed water should NOT be directly applied to the surfaces of vegetables or other edible crops that are Reclaimed water can be safely used to irrigate turf and not peeled,cooked,or thermally processed before being most other landscape plants.In fact,reclaimed water often consumed.This statement essentially means that as long contains nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus)that can be as you peel or cook your vegetables,they may be safely considered part of the fertilizer needs of the landscape. consumed after being grown with reclaimed irrigation Check with your reclaimed water provider to learn about water.The statement also means that indirect application the levels of nutrients in your reclaimed water and be sure methods, such as ridge or furrow irrigation,drip irrigation to incorporate the results into your landscape nutrient or a subsurface distribution system,which preclude direct management plans. contact,are allowed for edible crops that are not peeled, skinned,cooked,or thermally processed before consump- Occasionally,reclaimed water contains elevated levels of tion.See Figure 2 for an example of drip irrigation in which salts that can harm sensitive landscape plants.Azaleas irrigation water does not contact plant surfaces. (Rhododendron sp.) and crape myrtles(Lagerstroemia sp.) are two common landscape plants used in Florida that are 11.Can children use reclaimed water in water toys? especially sensitive to high salt levels.If you live near the coast,you may also have higher than normal salt levels in No.The Florida Department of Environmental Protection your reclaimed water because of the influence of seawater. does not permit reclaimed water for human consumption. Your reclaimed water provider will have data about salt With this regulation in mind,any activity that increases a levels in your water.Check with your provider to learn child's chance of accidentally consuming reclaimed water about how much salt is in your reclaimed water and which should be avoided. landscape plants may be particularly sensitive to salts. Consult with your local OF/IFAS Extension office or with 12.Can I fill my pool or spa with reclaimed water? http://ufdc.ufl.edu/IR00001713/00001 to determine which landscape plants may be particularly sensitive to salts. No.Reclaimed water cannot be used for any purpose that Also see Toor and Lusk(2011), Constituents of Concern in might increase the chances of it being consumed.Pools and Reclaimed Water,available at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss543. spas should be filled with potable water. Any potential problems associated with using reclaimed 13.How is reclaimed water regulated in Florida? water on landscape plants can usually be avoided by irrigating only when necessary,growing salt-tolerant plant Reclaimed water must meet strict standards of quality species, and minimizing the use of overhead sprinkler established by the Florida Department of Environmental irrigation so that high-salt water does not contact plant Protection(FDEP).FDEP ensures that reclaimed water foliage(Figure 2). projects meet state laws and that water quality criteria are maintained.FDEP also authorizes construction and opera- -,„'�. i 11 „ tion permits for reclaimed water systems,as well as inspects -,.,- ,. p,- s any reclaimed water that is used for indoor purposes,such / � � �° m, ,*- ,� , � , ,� as decorative fountains or toilet flushing.In administering R iii , ..per _, r' °°� „�"'�tt�� � �� .. the state's reclaimed water programs,FDEP coordinates . , 4 ,- „ with several other state agencies.The Florida Department .. , ,.x° =' „, � of Health(FDOH)coordinates with FDEP to ensure that . ° `” / °-" 1 i*,,XZ* 0 —' ' reclaimed water undergoes high-quality disinfection before - .. , ,* -., use.Florida's Public Service Commission(PSC)authorizes 'f -r . 4,- it reclaimed water rates paid by the user.111V i ,�, '� Throughout Florida(and the rest of the United States), reclaimed water is transmitted in purple pipes that are kept Figure 2.Drip irrigation with reclaimed water.Source:US Geological Survey. separate from the pipes that transmit drinking-quality Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape:Frequently Asked Questions about Reclaimed Water 3 water.Areas that use reclaimed water must also post signs on reclaimed water reuse for Florida and other states at to alert the public of its use(Figure 3).For example,com- http://nepis.epa.gov/Adobe/PDF/30006MKD.pdf. munities that use reclaimed water may post a sign at the neighborhood entrance,and golf courses may post signs at Also,see these EDIS articles for information on various the first and tenth tees.Advisory signs must also include aspects of reclaimed water: the warning in English and Spanish,"Do Not Drink"and "No Tomar,"respectively.Additionally,if reclaimed water (1) History and Current Status of Reclaimed Water Use in is used in a fountain or stored in a pond,it must include an Florida.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss520 advisory sign that says"Do Not Swim"or"No Nadar"in Spanish. (2) What's in Reclaimed Water and Where Does It Go? http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss542 1 t (3) Constituents of Concern in Reclaimed Water.http:// � ' AS PART OF THE CITY'S edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss543 CONSERVATION EFFORT, (4) Managing Salinity,Sodicity,and Specific Ions in Sites THIS SITE USES P Irrigated with Reclaimed Water.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ RECYCLED WATER FOR IRRIGATION ss545 P DO NOT CP !DRINK (5) Understanding Landscape Irrigation Water Quality COMO PARTE DEL PROGRAMA DE Tests.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss546 CONSERVACION DE AGUA DE LA CIUDAD, EN ESTE LUGAR SE USA AGUA RECICLADA PARA IRRIGAR 40 s . ..,— s�� �� -; Figure 3.Advisory sign alerting the public to avoid drinking reclaimed water.Source:http)/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Donotdrinkjpg 14.Can I overuse reclaimed water? Nutrient(nitrogen,phosphorus)pollution may occur if the user over-irrigates the lawn because both reclaimed water that runs off on the surface and the water and nutrients that move below the root zone are lost.Maintenance of a high level of distribution uniformity in reclaimed water-irrigated sites is critical to prevent leaching and runoff of these nutrients.As long as a soil's field capacity is not exceeded when irrigating with reclaimed water,the chances of reclaimed water runoff and leaching are minimum. 15.How do I find more information about reclaimed water? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection maintains a website on reclaimed water use and regulations for the state.You can access the site at http://www.dep. state.fl.us/water/reuse/.You may also check with your city or county water services department to find out about reclaimed water in your local area.You can find detailed guidelines from the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape:Frequently Asked Questions about Reclaimed Water 4