WATER
CONSERVATION
Residential Reclaimed Water
Project
Frequently
Asked Questions
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Benefits - Construction - Cost -
Safety - Using
GENERAL OVERVIEW QUESTIONS
What will the project do?
The project will provide reclaimed water (highly treated wastewater), instead of potable (drinking) water for irrigating lawns in neighborhoods with high water use in the County’s Northwest Service Area (generally west of I-4 and north of Lake Mary Blvd.)
Where will the reclaimed
water come from?
It will be piped from a variety
of sources including the Yankee
Lake Regional Water Reclamation Facility and the Greenwood Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility.
What neighborhoods will be
served?
Phase 1 which included Bristol Park, Chestnut Hill, East Camden, Heathrow Woods and Magnolia Plantation and is constructed. Phase 2, which includes Alaqua Lakes, is designed with construction scheduled to begin Summer 2009.
Why is this project necessary?
Seminole County is a Priority Water Resource Caution Area. Some data suggests that there may be future water supply problems if action is not taken. The County is currently working towards reducing potable (drinking) water consumption in the Northwest Service Area.
Why have these neighborhoods
been chosen?
Phase 1 and 2 neighborhoods have been chosen due to their very high levels of irrigation and data that suggests groundwater withdrawals from this area have a more significant impact on surface water levels, allowing the County to effectively implement its water conservation strategy of minimizing the use of potable water for non-potable uses. Approximately 75 percent of total water use in the targeted neighborhoods is for landscape irrigation.
How much water will be saved?
It is estimated that the targeted neighborhoods currently use as much as 1,000,000 gallons of potable water per day to irrigate. That’s enough water to fill 67 swimming pools every day.
CONSTRUCTION QUESTIONS
What will be involved in
the construction of the project?
Phase 1 - A reclaimed water transmission main was installed along approximately 0.5 miles of Markham Woods Road to the neighborhoods that will receive reclaimed water. Over 12 miles of smaller distribution lines will bring the water to each property. A reclaimed water meter was installed at each property. Other project components will include pumping, storage and augmentation facilities; however these will not be located near any of the neighborhoods.
Phase 2 – Completion of the reclaimed water transmission main, from Magnolia Plantation to Markham Road, will be installed (approximately 2.5 miles). This will connect to existing mains along Lake Markham Road. Over 10 miles of smaller distribution lines will bring water to each property. A reclaimed water meter will be installed at each property.
Will the construction be
disruptive?
Whenever possible, pipelines will be installed using directional drilling instead of using an open cut (trench digging) method. This will minimize damage to sidewalks, driveways and roads. Any areas damaged during construction, whether in public areas or on private property, will be restored to their original condition. Construction work will be scheduled when traffic is light to further minimize potential inconvenience to residents and motorists.
When will the project be
completed?
The Phase 1 project schedule is:
Design: Complete
Bidding: Complete
Construction: Complete
The Phase 2 project schedule is:
Design: Complete
Bidding: Complete
Construction: Summer 2009 - Fall 2010
COST QUESTIONS
How will I be billed for
the reclaimed water that I use?
The reclaimed water will be metered
and you will be billed for the amount that
you use as a separate line item on your utility
bill.
What is the rate for reclaimed
water?
The Board of County Commissioners have established reclaimed water rates.
Will there be a cost to
connect to the system?
Yes. After the County installs the reclaimed water meter at each property, it will be the homeowner’s responsibility to have his/her in-ground irrigation system completely disconnected from the potable (drinking) water system and then connected to the reclaimed water meter. Homeowners will also be required to have a backflow
prevention device installed if one is not already in place. More information on this process will be forthcoming when construction begins in your neighborhood.
SAFETY QUESTIONS
Is the reclaimed water safe?
Because the reclaimed water from the Yankee Lake Regional Water Reclamation Facility is permitted to be discharged into wetlands, it is treated to a higher standard and monitored more stringently than is normally required. This means that the reclaimed water going on your lawn is very high quality. It is the final product of a multiple-stage, advanced wastewater treatment program. It is continually treated, monitored and tested to ensure that it meets the requirements of the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection.
How can I be sure that the
reclaimed water will not get mixed up with
the potable water?
The reclaimed water will be delivered through an underground distribution system entirely separate from the drinking water system. It will not be connected in any way to the potable (drinking water) system. All reclaimed water pipe and fixtures, as well as the reclaimed meter box at your property, will use the standard lavender (light purple) color that designates reclaimed water, distinguishing it from the potable water system. In addition, a sign will be placed at neighborhood entrances indicating that reclaimed water is in use.
As an added safety precaution, a backflow prevention device is required to be installed on your drinking water meter to prevent the reclaimed water from getting into the public drinking water system in the unlikely event that someone inadvertently connects a pipe between the two systems on your property. The County conducts safety inspections to ensure that there are no cross connections with the potable water system on your property. In addition, an annual test of backflow prevention devices will be required and parts replaced as needed.
QUESTIONS ABOUT USING RECLAIMED
WATER
What can the reclaimed water
be used for?
It is safe to use reclaimed water
for irrigating lawns and landscape, as well
as fruit trees and gardens containing edible
foods that will be peeled or cooked before
serving.
What shouldn’t
the reclaimed water be used for?
The state has currently prohibited
the use of reclaimed water for the following
purposes:
- Drinking
- Filling swimming pools, wading pools
or hot tubs
- Connecting to a dwelling for toilet flushing
or other household use
- Interconnecting with your drinking water
pipeline
- Recreational activities in which the
water comes in contact with your skin,
such as playing in the sprinklers
- Washing pets, equipment, structures,
driveways or vehicles
- Connection to an aboveground hose bibb
Will there be any restrictions
on how much or when the reclaimed water can
be used?
It’s important to remember that over-watering can be harmful to lawns and plants. Research at the University of Florida recommends a maximum irrigation rate for St. Augustine sod of two times per week, a half inch each time. As always, you should only water between 4 p.m. - 10 a.m. to avoid losing water to evaporation. The County encourages conservation of reclaimed water as a valuable resource. Therefore reclaimed water will be on the same watering restriction schedule as potable water as stipulated in the Water Conservation Ordinance.
Wed. & Sat. – Odd House #
Thurs. & Sun. – Even House #
Tues. & Fri. – Non-Residential
NO WATERING BETWEEN 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. ANYDAY
What else is being done to
ensure that there is always enough reclaimed
water for the service area?
Storage will be provided so that reclaimed water produced during the day (during the non-watering hours) can be stored for use in the evening and morning hours. Also, the County may use water from sources other than the Yankee Lake Regional Water Reclamation Facility to help supplement the reclaimed water supply during periods of very high usage. The County has an inter-local agreement to utilize up to 2.75 million gallons per day of reclaimed water supply from the City of Sanford; this source is augmented with treated surface water from Lake Monroe. In addition, the Residential Reclaimed Water Project is connected with the County’s Northeast reclaimed water system, which has been serving commercial properties since the late 1980's. Other sources of water, such as groundwater from the Floridan aquifer, are being considered to meet seasonal peaks in the demand for irrigation water on a very short-term basis.
Will the reclaimed water
leave stains?
No. Reclaimed water is unlike water from most shallow wells. It is colorless and free from the minerals that can cause staining of houses, driveways and sidewalks.
QUESTIONS ABOUT BENEFITS
What are the financial benefits
of the project?
All citizens of Seminole County will realize an indirect financial benefit from the project because it will help postpone the need to develop more costly water sources. The St. Johns River Water Management District has stated that there might not be a sufficient supply of groundwater to meet the long-term growth needs of the region. More costly water sources, such as river water, may eventually be needed in the future. By using reclaimed water now, the County can extend the use of groundwater for a longer period of time and be less dependent on more expensive water supply sources in the future.
What are the environment
benefits of the Phase 1 and 2 projects?
1) Over 1,000,000 gallons of potable water per day will be saved. That’s enough water to fill 67 swimming pools every day.
2) It will protect the Floridan Aquifer. Most of our drinking water is pumped from the Floridan Aquifer, the fresh water found deep underground in the openings within a thick layer of limestone. Pumping too much water from the Floridan Aquifer can have negative impacts. It can cause lake levels to drop, spring flows to slow or stop and wetlands to recede as well as increase the likelihood of sinkholes. It can also contribute to saltwater intrusion and decreased water quality requiring more extensive water treatment.
3) It provides an environmentally friendly way to discharge reclaimed water. The Yankee Lake Regional Water Reclamation Facility produces 2.2 million gallons per day (MGD) of highly treated reclaimed water. As population growth continues, finding environmentally friendly ways to use this resource becomes an increasing challenge. Phases 1 and 2 of the Residential Reclaimed Project provide an environmentally friendly and beneficial way to use approximately 1,000,000 gallons a day.
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