Using Reclaimed Water

Using Reclaimed Water

Don’t overwater your lawn. Lawns need watering every five to seven days in the summer and every 10-14 days in the winter. Lawns only need one inch of water weekly.

Use mulch to help retain soil moisture. Mulch is also effective in controlling weeds.

Plant smart by using native plants and shrubs.

Use a blower or broom instead of a water hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveways and sidewalks.

Water your lawns during the early morning hours. This reduces evaporation and waste as wind temperatures and wind speed are the lowest at this time.

Make sure that your sprinklers are adjusted and positioned so water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not on paved areas or home siding.
Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches, or to its highest level. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture.

Use a car wash that recycles water. If you wash your car at home, park on the lawn and use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

Remember- Every Drop Counts

WHAT IS RECLAIMED WATER?

Reclaimed water is a nutrient rich by-product of a biological treatment process. Due to its origin and composition, federal, state, and local ordinances regulate the use of reclaimed water. Reclaimed water is produced at the City of Sanibel’s Donax Water Reclamation Facility. It flows from an advanced treatment process that cleans wastewater to a very high quality. The quality is monitored continuously by the City and the State. Reclaimed water has been used to irrigate the golf courses on the Island for many years. In order to conserve drinking water and save you money, it is now available to homes and condominiums located adjacent to the reclaimed water transmission line.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING RECLAIMED WATER?

The property owner benefits from the cost savings realized by replacing valuable drinking water with reclaimed water for irrigation purposes. The Island Water Association benefits by removing the water demand for irrigation from their water supply, thereby freeing-up plant capacity to serve additional drinking water customers and delaying construction of additional plant capacity.

The City of Sanibel is in an area designated as a “Water Use Caution Area.” This means that there is a concerted effort being made on all fronts to conserve the water resource so that it will be available. The preservation of the groundwater aquifers helps to keep saltwater from intruding into the fresh water sources upon which we depend for our drinking water. In addition to promoting water conservation, reclaimed water contains levels of nitrogen and phosphorus that will enhance fertilization of the area that is being irrigated.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT USING RECLAIMED WATER.

Sprinkling with reclaimed water is not much different from sprinkling with well or tap water. Please keep in mind that this resource is regulated. The South Florida Water Management District regulates all water irrigation, including reclaimed water. Irrigation is permitted between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. only. Odd numbered addresses may irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Even numbered addresses may irrigate on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Existing sprinkler systems can be connected with little or no modification. Reclaimed water pressure averages between 60-70 psi. The City of Sanibel’s reclaimed water is compatible with plants, vegetation, and sod.

The cost of reclaimed water presently is $2.42 per 1,000 gallons. Property owners would be required to install a meter, which is available from the City. The meter charges, including installation charges, vary from $700 to $1,425 for 5/8” to 1 1/2” meters. Meters over 1 1/2” will be charged at cost. Generally speaking, residential properties will require a 5/8” meter and a multi-family or resort unit will require a 1 1/2” meter or greater.

WHO OWNS AND MANAGES THE RECLAIMED WATER SYSTEM?

Reclaimed water is delivered to you from the City of Sanibel Donax Water Reclamation Facility and is received through a single meter at your home or complex. The City maintains and owns the distribution system, up to and including the meter. The amount of wastewater treated by the wastewater treatment plant varies throughout the year, as does the demand for reclaimed water. The City of Sanibel makes every effort not to promise more reclaimed water than can reliably be delivered. The City of Sanibel has an obligation to deliver reclaimed water of a specific quality to its users, but cannot guarantee to deliver any certain quantity during any particular period.

WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF RECLAIMED WATER?

While reclaimed water is safe and adequate for many uses, there are some uses for which it is not approved.

No consumption of reclaimed water (Human or animal)

No direct sprinkling of vegetable gardens, and no use for body-contact recreation.

No connection to a dwelling for toilet flushing or other household use.

No interconnection with other water sources.

No filling of swimming pools.

No sharing a common reclaimed service or connection between properties.

No augmentation of lake or pond levels with reclaimed water.