WILL POTABLE REUSE BE COMING TO YOUR CITY?

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 Potable reuse has been in the news lately. Daytona Beach may possibly ban potable reuse. But this would be a mistake, in my opinion.

In 2021, Senate Bill 64 was passed, which will basically be forcing wastewater treatment and water reclamation facilities to stop discharging treated effluent to surface waters. This means these facilities will need to find more ways to reuse water. 

So, let's explain what potable reuse means and why it should be either celebrated or banned.

Reuse of reclaimed water is pretty mainstream here in Florida. Many people irrigate their lawns with it. It's widely used at golf courses, as well as many other uses. But, what does potable reuse mean? 

What is Potable Water?

Potable water is water that is safe for drinking. 

The definition from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is: "water that meets the primary and secondary drinking water quality standards prescribed by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 141) of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and Chapter 62-550, Florida Administrative Code." (I'll put a link to the rules in the Geek Out section).

So, potable water must be treated and analyzed to make sure the water meets these standards--whether the drinking water source is ground water, surface water, or reclaimed water.

What is Potable Reuse?

If reclaimed water is added to a drinking water source or supply, this is considered to be potable reuse. 

FDEP's definition is: "augmentation of a drinking water supply with reclaimed water, which includes indirect potable reuse."

Indirect Potable Reuse

With indirect potable reuse, reclaimed water t is added to a ground or surface source water that will be further treated at a water treatment facility. 

FDEP's definition is "the planned delivery or discharge of reclaimed water or advanced treated water to ground or surface waters for the development of, or to supplement, potable water supply. . ."

With indirect potable reuse, the highly treated reclaimed water goes through an environmental buffer--such as an aquifer or reservoir before being introduced to the drinking water treatment plant. There, it will receive further treatment to meet the state and federal requirements, while helping to supplement the water supply. 

In this video, the City of Clearwater is conducting a pilot project to replenish groundwater in the aquifer.



 Direct Potable Reuse

With direct potable reuse, the reclaimed water is highly treated enough to be introduced directly to the drinking water treatment plant or water distribution system.

Here's FDEP's definition - "Direct potable reuse is the delivery of advanced treated water from an ATWF (Advanced Treatment Water Facility) to a drinking water treatment facility or directly into a potable water supply distribution system. This type of potable reuse does not include an environmental buffer. Direct potable reuse projects are subject to the technical and permitting requirements established in this chapter."

In all cases, the technical design of these projects must be reviewed and approved by FDEP prior to construction and operation.

The term "toilet to tap" is bandied around by the media - but this is completely inaccurate and misleading. Reclaimed water goes through multiple advanced treatment technologies before it is introduced to a water treatment plant, where it is further treated to ensure the water meets all regulations. 

Several Florida communities are already using indirect potable reuse. Pilot projects and plans for direct potable reuse are in place as well. 

With the population continuing to climb in our state, reuse of reclaimed water is more important than ever. The biggest problem with potable reuse is not the available treatment technology, but the cost. Water bills will likely reflect the cost of the highly advanced treatment needed for potable reuse.

Here's a video of a pilot project for direct potable reuse in Polk County:



Geek Out

FDEP Rules:



Federal Regulations:


Publications and Information











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