- April 25, 2024
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Treated wastewater is released into the middle of the Halifax River from a pipe near Melrose Avenue. Photo by Wayne Grant
The City Commission approved an incentive program Sept. 20 to encourage residents on the beachside to connect to the reclaimed water system for irrigation. Availability has recently been expanded south of Granada Boulevard.
Having more people connect will “reduce the city’s discharge of wastewater effluent and nutrients to the Halifax River,” according to the staff report to the City Commission.
Also, using reclaimed water for irrigation means less water taken from the aquifer.
Commissioner Rick Boehm said he hopes people realize the benefits of hooking up to the reclaimed water.
“It’s a great benefit to the environment as a whole,” he said. “It’s the right way to do things.”
The city produces about 32 million gallons of wastewater every week. This includes all the water flushed down toilets and emptied down drains in homes. About 27 million gallons are reused for irrigation. That leaves about five million gallons every week that is released into the Halifax River after being treated to standards set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The city furnishes reclaimed water for irrigation not only to the beachside, but also some mainland neighborhoods and golf courses.
Reclaimed water has been available north of Granada Boulevard and was introduced south of Granada Boulevard in 2013. The city received a grant this year from the St. Johns River Water Management District, which will pay one third of the cost of expanding the system further.
The city plans to promote the incentive program to residents who are eligible.
Homeowners electing to connect to the reclaimed water system are currently required to obtain a permit and pay a fee of $245, which includes $215 for the connection fee and $30 for a permit application fee.
Of the 124 properties on streets where reclaimed water service has been expanded south of Granada, only seven residents have applied for service to date. According to the staff report, residents have been reluctant to connect until their present irrigation system needs replacement. Staff wants to encourage connection with a temporary waiver of the connection fee.
In the incentive program, residents will pay only the $30 application fee portion of the permit. This proposal also includes a refund to those properties having already connected to the reuse system following the Phase 1 expansion project.
The funds lost by the connection fee will be made up by the $16 monthly service charge to properties that otherwise would not have connected, according to the report.
The reclaimed water is not potable but has been treated to standards from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
According to Jessica Boyd, department spokeswoman, “the quality of the treated wastewater (effluent) is regulated through a facility’s wastewater permit requirements to ensure that the receiving water body is protected. Permit limits and treatment requirements are determined by the unique characteristics of the receiving water body. There should be minimal impacts on the environment.”
She said Florida leads the nation in water reuse, as approximately 738 million gallons per day of reclaimed water was used for beneficial purposes in 2015.
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“It’s a great benefit to the environment as a whole.”
RICK BOEHM, city commissioner, on using reclaimed water
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Water everywhere
The city produces about 32 million gallons of wastewater every week. All of it is treated per DEP standards. About 27 million gallons are reused, and five million gallons are released into the Halifax River.
