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1. What is Reclaimed Water?

Reclaimed water is wastewater that has been highly treated and disinfected to remove impurities while retaining nutrients that work as fertilizers. Reclaimed water is ideal for lawn sprinkling, but not suitable for human or animal consumption because of the chemical salts (or nutrients) that remain. Reclaimed water will be delivered to homes and businesses through an underground distribution system entirely separate from the drinking water system.

2. Why Reclaimed Water?

Water is a valuable and finite resource. More and more people are moving to Florida and they all require water. To ensure there is adequate water for all future needs, the State encourages and promotes water conservation and the use of reclaimed water. Water reuse in Florida is no longer optional. We cannot afford to use our water just once.

City officials recognized that water conservation was of utmost importance. Studies have shown that over 50% of the drinking water used in Florida is for irrigation. Reclaimed water not only recycles a valuable resource but helps save fresh water for purposes other than irrigation.

Connecting to the “Reclaimed Water” system will allow you to be a practicing conservationist of an important resource. Conserving water and preserving the local environment shows foresight in planning for a better tomorrow.

Use it again, Pinellas Park! This is what the City’s “Reclaimed Water” system is all about.

3. How Can Reclaimed Water Be Used?

In the City of Pinellas Park, reclaimed water will primarily be used for irrigating residential lawns, commercial lawns, parks, schools and highway medians. Reclaimed water can also be used to irrigate edible crops that will be peeled, skinned, cooked or thermally processed before consumption is allowed. All other crops must be irrigated indirectly.

It is not appropriate for the City’s reclaimed water to be used for drinking and bathing water or for filling swimming pools. Reclaimed water may not be piped into any building used for residential purposes.

You must disconnect your irrigation system from your present water supply source before connecting to reclaimed water.

4. Is Reclaimed Water Safe?

Reclaimed water has been extensively treated and disinfected to ensure that public health and environmental quality are protected. To meet its required unrestricted public access quality, reclaimed water must meet the strict standards of quality established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

The City’s reclaimed water system is monitored 24 hours a day by Pinellas County to ensure consistent quality standards are met. Testing is performed at the laboratory on site at the plant, as well as by independent research centers.

Physical contact with reclaimed water is not known to have any negative effects; being splashed or sprayed by the water should not be cause for alarm. However, remember that (1) reclaimed water is primarily used for irrigation and is not for consumption or sanitary purposes, and (2) irrigation should occur at a time when human or animal contact is least likely.

5. Reclaimed Water Makes Sense

The City of Pinellas Park’s “Reclaimed Water” system is beneficial in many ways:

By reducing current and future demands for fresh water to be used for irrigation, reclaimed water helps you save water, while conserving the Floridian Aquifer, our primary fresh water source.

Saves Money

Reclaimed water helps you save money. After the initial connection fee and utility deposit, the charge for reclaimed water should significantly reduce your monthly water bills.

Using reclaimed water saved money spent on fertilizer due to the water’s nutrient rich content (supplemental fertilizing will still be needed).

Conserving water delays for many years the costs necessary to develop new fresh water sources and to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities.

Well water irrigators will save on pump costs for operation, maintenance and repair.

Drought Conditions

During drought conditions, reclaimed water irrigation is not subject to water restrictions which apply to well and drinking water. Also, reclaimed water is odorless and will not stain concrete, unlike well water supplies.

Irrigation

Finally, irrigation with reclaimed water helps you save the environment by reducing the amount of wastewater discharged to rivers and oceans.

6. How Do You Sign Up For & Receive Reclaimed Water Service?

Once service lines are installed in your area, you need only follow these steps for both residential and commercial service:

Call, write, or visit the Utility Billing Division in:

City Hall

5141 - 78th Avenue

Pinellas Park, Florida, 33781, 727-369-0690

Hours

Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn More

Receive an information package including a reclaimed water application and policies and regulations.

Fill out an application, pay the connection fee and return it to the Utility Billing Division.

Computer service connection installation and arrange for a Reclaimed Water inspection by the City’s Water Division, 369-5850, Mondays through Fridays, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Obtain reclaimed water service upon correction of any deficiencies and passing final inspection.

Save and “Use it again, Pinellas Park!”