Show All Answers

1. What is reclaimed water?

Water, like used motor oil, newspaper, plastic and aluminum cans, can be recycled. Reclaimed water is treated wastewater from local utility systems. The City of Stuart filters and treats reclaimed water with a high level of chlorine disinfection. This allows reclaimed water to be readily available for non-potable uses such as commercial and private landscape irrigation purposes.

Current Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) regulatory mechanisms are effective in encouraging and promoting water reuse. There has been a significant increase of reclaimed water usage the last ten years, and this reuse water has been an important component of water resources and wastewater management in the State of Florida.

2. Why reuse water?

Reclaimed water conserves drinking water normally used for irrigation in an environmentally economic manner. The State of Florida has adopted policies that recognize water reuse as an integral part of the comprehensive water management program. Water reclamation offers a valuable alternative water resource not requiring potable drinking water applications.

The use of reclaimed water in a non-potable application helps to ensure a long-term reliable water source even during times of drought. The City of Stuart, like other South Florida communities, are faced with the problem of a diminishing fresh water supply. Water restrictions are affecting the quality of life of every South Florida resident. Water reclamation is an important component of an effective water conservation program.

To protect the quality of valuable water resources, the City continues to make a conscious and continuous effort to protect the quality of water here in the City. With this in mind, the City's Wastewater Treatment Facility has been redesigned and constructed with advanced and sophisticated engineering to limit the amount of effluent to deep injection points, transforming it into a Water Reclamation Facility.

3. Is reclaimed water safe?

Reclaimed water undergoes a strict 24 hour a day monitoring process 365 days a year. Stringent water standards are set forth by the State of Florida. No health related problems have been associated with reclaimed water throughout the City. However, reclaimed water is not intended for human or animal use, it poses no threat to accidental contact.

4. What are the benefits of reclaimed water?

Reclaimed water offers a variety of benefits to City residents and the environment:

• Helps in ground water recharge
• Irrigation of lawns and golf courses
• Water recycling helps preserve the environment
• Reserves potable water otherwise used for lawn irrigation
• Reclaimed water used for irrigation will not stain sidewalks or driveways
• Reclaimed water contains nitrogen and phosphorus, which will reduce the amount of fertilizer needed for healthy grass growth

5. What are the uses of reclaimed water?

Uses of reclaimed water include:

• Use for irrigation of lawns or golf courses
• Use for irrigation of flower gardens
• Use of irrigation of trees and shrubs
• Use for irrigation on only edible crops that will be peeled, skinned or cooked prior to eating

6. When should reclaimed water not be used?

Do not:

• Drink reclaimed water
• Connect your reclaimed irrigation to any other source of water
• Allow your irrigation system to waste water by spraying driveway or street
• Fill swimming pools or use reclaimed water recreationally
• Use reclaimed water through hoses, faucets, hose bibs or couplers

7. What is the City of Stuart's vision for reclaimed water?

In Florida, up to 50% of a community's drinking water is used for irrigation. Much of this irrigation could be replaced with reclaimed water. In order to conserve our water supply, the City of Stuart intends to maximize the use of reclaimed water, allowing the community to grow while minimizing or even reducing the impact on water resources.

The City's Water Reclamation Facility provides reclaimed water for specific areas of Stuart and intends to expand its availability in the future.

8. Where can I get more information about reclaimed water?

If you have any questions regarding the use of reclaimed water, please contact City of Stuart Customer Service at 772-288-5317 or access Florida Department of Environmental Protection's website.