RECLAIMED WATER POLICY MANUAL - 2001
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Public Works AdminiskationlPublic Utilities Department
Reclaimed Water Program
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECLAIMED WATER PROGRAM
WHAT IS THE "RECLAIMED WATER" PROGRAM?
The "Reclaimed Water" Program is a service of the City of Clearwater's Public Works AdministrationlPublic Utilities
Department in cooperation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. This program will provide safe
reclaimed water to utility customers for a variety of non-potable purposes.
WHAT IS RECLAIMED WATER?
Reclaimed water is wastewater that has been highly treated (Advanced Wastewater Treatment) and transformed into a
product that meets high water quality standards. The reclaimed water will be delivered to homes and businesses through an
underground distribution system entirely separate from the drinking water (potable) system.
WHERE IS RECLAIMED WATER SERVICE A V AILABLE?
Presently, residential reclaimed water service is available to a limited portion of Clearwater - basically Island Estates
Clearwater Beach. Plans are underway to extend service to Drew Street & Union Street as well as the North Greenwood
area.
The City has developed a Reclaimed Water Master Plan that includes a schedule for phased future extensions of this system.
Scheduled expansions of the reclaimed water system will take place over a number of years -well into the 21st. Century. Due
to the limited supply, some portions of the City may never be provided with reclaimed water service.
The Reclaimed Water Master Plan includes several criteria to determine where and when reclaimed water lines will be
extended, including proximity to existing system, costs for expansion, customer interest and amount of water presently used
in the area for irrigation purposes.
WHY RECLAIMED WATER?
Engineering studies show that more than 50% of the drinking water used in the State of Florida is used for irrigation
purposes. City officials realize that water conservation is of utmost importance since growth in our area of Florida is putting
pressure on a finite resource--water.
The encouragement and promotion of water conservation and use of reclaimed water are State objectives. In fact,
Clearwater's permits to operate its water supply and wastewater treatment systems include conditions that require the City to
explore the utilization of reclaimed water. Water reuse in Florida is not optional anymore. We can't afford to use our water
just once.
By connecting to the reclaimed water system, you become a practicing conservationist of an important resource. Conserving
water and preserving the local environment show foresight in planing for a better tomorrow!
HOW CAN RECLAIMED WATER BE USED?
In the City of Clearwater, reclaimed water will primarily be used for irrigation of open or green space on residential, multi-
family, commercial, park and school properties, etc. It may also be used for washing vehicles and other non-drinking
purposes. It is not appropriate for the City's reclaimed water to be used for drinking, bathing, filling swimming pools or any
other use that may involve prolonged contact. It may not be piped into any building used for residential purposes.
*Irrigation of edible crops that will be peeled, skinned, cooked or thermally processed before consumption is allowed. All
others must be irrigated indirectly.
*Any existing water supply to an irrigation system must be disconnected before connecting to the reclaimed water system.
NO HOSE BIBBS ARE ALLOWED ON A SYSTEM SUPPLIED BY RECLAIMED WATER EXCEPT THAT WHICH
MAYBE SUPPLIED BY THE CITY AND LOCATED BELOW GROUND IN A LOCKABLE METER BOX A T THE
SERVICE CONNECTION.
4/01
IS RECLAIMED WATER SAFE?
Reclaimed water is the result of wastewater that has been highly treated and disinfected. To be used by the public, reclaimed
water must meet strict standards of quality established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The
"Reclaimed Water" system is monitored 24 hours a day by City personnel to ensure consistent quality standards are met.
Testing is performed at the laboratory on site at the wastewater treatment plant as well as by independent laboratories.
Physical contact with reclaimed water is not known to have any negative effects. Therefore, any incidental contact should
not be reason for alarm. However, remember that: I) reclaimed water is primarily used for irrigation, not for consumption or
sanitary purposes; 2) irrigation should occur at a time when human or animal contact is least likely; 3) the effectiveness of
any program relies on people and equipment.
HOW DOES RECLAIMED WATER BENEFIT YOU?
The City of Clearwater's "Reclaimed Water" System helps you in many ways.
First, by reducing current and future demand for fresh water used for irrigation and other appropriate non-potable uses,
reclaimed water helps you save water while conserving the Floridan Aquifer, the primary drinking water source in our area.
Second, reclaimed water helps you save money. Presently, there are no connection fees charged by the City for connection to
the reclaimed system. However, customers/property owners may have some initial expenses involved with tying in new or
existing private systems to the City's point-of-connection. Once connected, residential users are allowed unlimited
reasonable usage of reclaimed water for a set monthly rate. CommerciallIndustrial and Multi-Family users of reclaimed
water will be metered. Additional savings will be realized by delaying for years the costs to develop new fresh water
sources.
Well water irrigators will save on pump costs from operation, maintenance and repair. Under drought conditions, reclaimed
water irrigation is not subject to water restrictions, which apply to well and drinking water. In addition, reclaimed water is
odorless and will not stain concrete, unlike most shallow well water supplies.
Third, use of reclaimed water helps save the environment by recharging the ground water supply.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON RECLAIMED WATER?
To conserve the resource, no irrigation is allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on each day of the week. When
applied, reclaimed water should be used only to the extent necessary for irrigation of lawns, gardens and individual plants.
HOW IS RECLAIMED WATER SERVICE OBTAINED?
Reclaimed water service is a new infrastructure system being developed by the City and is not currently available in most
areas. If interested in obtaining reclaimed water service, property owners should contact the City of Clearwater Public
Utilities Department at telephone (727) 562-4960 for availability information. For any technical questions on the reclaimed
water system call Andy Bachtel with the Public Utilities Department at 727-562-4960
In areas where reclaimed water distribution mains are already installed, there are four (4) steps required to obtain service:
1. Fill out an application at the Clearwater Customer Service Office on the first floor of the Municipal Service Building at
100 S. Myrtle Avenue in Clearwater. Currently there are no application or connection fees.
2. Upon installation of the City service line, complete the connection of your existing private system to the City's point- of-
connection. New private systems will require a permit and subsequent inspections through the City's Planning &
Developmental Services Department. At this time the City valve at the point-of-connection will be locked "off'.
3. When connection is completed, call the Public Utilities Office at (727) 562-4960 to arrange for an inspection;
4. Reclaimed water service will be provided upon correction of any deficiencies found during inspection.
4/01
RESIDENTIAL RECLAIMED WATER PRE-INSPECTION CHECK LIST
1. A brass nipple and brass gate valve shall be installed at the City's point of connection by the customer/property owner.
The customer/property owner shall provide his/her own purple valve or meter box immediately downstream from the point of
connection for their valve.
2. An optional brass "Y" strainer and pressure reducing valve (if used) shall be installed by the customer/property owner in a
separate box (painted purple) located on the homeowner's property.
3. Customer/property owner shall disconnect and cap below ground any existing irrigation service line connection before
connecting to the reclaimed water system. A minimum of 3' separation between pipe ends is required if previous source was
drinking water. The disconnection must be visible for inspection.
4. Only a single source of water is allowed for irrigation. For example, if a property owner requests reclaimed water, then
only reclaimed water may be used to supply the irrigation system. The only variance is that a single completely separate line
with one zone (from the potable system or well) may be installed to supply water to vegetable gardens or exotic plants. This
separate zone may not be dedicated to sprinkle any part of the lawn.
5. No hose bibbs (spigots) are allowed on any private system served by reclaimed water. When requested, the City may
install a hose bibb with a special adapter below ground and within the meter box at the point of connection. Any existing
hose connections on the customer/property owner's irrigation system are to be eliminated and cut and capped below ground.
6. Except for edible crops that will be peeled, skinned, cooked or thermally processed before consumption, no direct
irrigation of vegetable gardens with reclaimed water is allowed. Bubbler or drip irrigation is acceptable. Soaker (semi-
permeable) hoses are allowed in conjunction with the reclaimed water system only if the following criteria are met:
A. The pipe supplying the hose is painted purple at the point of connection.
B. The soaker hose is permanently secured to the supply pipe. No hose thread connections are allowed.
C. The soaker hose must be completely installed below ground.
7. Sprinkler heads must be adjusted to eliminate over-spray to non-turf areas. No ponding or run-off is allowed.
8. The customer/property owner or their agent must be present during the inspection to operate each zone of the sprinkler
system for the inspector.
9. No unauthorized use of reclaimed water is allowed. The filling of swimming pools, drinking, use in residential air
conditioners, etc. is prohibited. Reclaimed water may not be piped into any residential building. No cross connection with
any other source of water is permitted.
10. A well and pump may remain only if there is a single hose connection in the immediate area of the pump discharge for
well water.
11. The City's service connection shall remain locked off until City inspectors are present.
12. The initial inspection and one re-inspection will be provided at no charge. All subsequent re-inspections will result in a
service charge.
* After successful connection to the reclaimed system, the lawn meter (if applicable) shall be removed per the City of
Clearwater. Per City Ordinance Sec. 32.376 irrigation with potable water in a service area serviced by reclaimed
water is not allowed. If the homeowner wishes to retain the lawn meter, for uses other than irrigation there will be a
charge for a bacld10w preventer.
The City of Clearwater will re-inspect the reclaimed water system at each residence once a year as part of our cross
connection control program
WHAT ARE THE RATES FOR RECLAIMED WATER SERVICE?
As the reclaimed water system expands, monthly rates for the use or availability may gradually be adjusted.
Customers/property owners should check with the Clearwater Customer Service Office (telephone 727 562-4600) to verify
current rates or for additional information. The current monthly-reclaimed water rates are:
Connection Provided
Availability Only
Consumotion
Total
I.Single Family, Duplex or Triplex
(per domestic water account;
however, if a duplex or triplex has separate billing domestic
water accounts for each dwelling unit then the appropriate
charge shall be divided equally among each account.)(flat rate)
$9.00
$6.00
$15.00
2. Multi-Family
More than 3 dwelling units (metered)
$9.00
.30/1000 gallons
$9.00+
use
3. Commercial/Industrial
a. Less than or equal to 2 acres of pervious area
( flat rate)
b. More than 2 acres of pervious area or
Non-irrigation uses (metered)
$9.00
$6.00
$15.00
$9.00
.30/1000 gallons
$9.00 +
use
4. Open Space (per acre of "pervious area", as defined
in section 32.352) (flat rate)
$13.77
Non irrigation use - metered, includes air conditioning
System coolant water
.3011000 gallons
Reclaimed water service to accounts outside the City limits shall be subject to a surcharge equal to 25 percent of the monthly
charges.
4/01
BACKFLOW PREVENTERS, THERMAL EXPANSION & YOUR HOT WATER HEATER
A message to City of Clearwater Water Customers!!
CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL: The City of Clearwater is required to protect the public potable
(drinking) water supply from potential cross connections with the non-potable reclaimed water. Therefore, a backflow
prevention device will be installed at your potable water service connection. This device prevents water from flowing
backwards through the water meter and into the public potable water supply system. Backflow or back siphonage through the
meter could occur if water from another source (e.g. reclaimed water) was connected to the potable system and the pressure
in the potable system was overcome.
CHANGE IN YOUR PLUMBING SYSTEM: Before the installation of the backflow preventer, your home/business
plumbing system has operated as an "open" system. The public potable water system provided a "cushion" that absorbed
pressure build-up in your plumbing system caused by water expansion. Water expands when heated in your hot water heater.
This is called "thermal expansion". Thermal expansion can occur several times a day.
Since water cannot be compressed, the expanding water creates a rapid pressure increase in the water heater and system
piping. Internal pressures repeatedly occurring during hot water heater cycles have the potential to create pressure on the
plumbing system as well as impacting the integrity of the hot water heater itself. Conditions that may be experienced as a
result of this phenomenon could be: intermittent dripping faucets or shower heads, discharge from the temperature and
pressure (T&P) valve on the hot water heater, etc.
Experience shows that thermal expansion may occur as a result of any number of reasons that may exist on the property:
faulty pressure reducing valves, inadvertent long term closing of private valves, installation of booster pumps, etc. Should
such a condition exist or become apparent on your property, you are cautioned to follow the manufacturers recommended
testing and maintenance procedure for your hot water heater.
SOLUTION TO THERMAL EXPANSION: A number of products are available to address the thermal expansion
issue. The two that will provide long term service are a properly sized thermal expansion tank installed at the hot water heater
or a ball cock and relief valve assembly installed in place of ball cock assemblies in your toilet tank. These devices can be
purchased and installed by the property owner and/or a licensed plumbing contractor.
Either solution requires periodic maintenance to ensure that the device is in good continuous working order. For more
information regarding these assemblies, contact your local plumber/supplier.
4/01
Saddle (if req'd.)
See note 2
(4)
3/4" brass quick connect coupling
body, Goodyear port no. 1163-60,
or approved equal
1" or 2" Ford curb stop
compression x compression
with lock wing ISRW 44-444W
with "reclaimed water" stomped
or approved equal
(5)
3/4" brass quick connect
plug adopter, Goodyear
port no. 1163-61, or
approved equal
(3)
3/4" brass nipple, mole IPT x mole
GHT (garden hose thread) Goodyear
port no. 71GH-12-12, or approved
equal
(2)
3/4" Phil-moc purple handle
boll valve, MIP x F"lP, port
no. Phil-moc 965323-PHBC
1" Mueller Corporation Cock,
S- 25008 or approved equal
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1" IPEX purple Kitec poly pipe HOPE 3408,
SDR 9, or approved equal
Reclaimed
Water Main
(1)
1" Phil-moc coupling, FIP x CTS,
(with insert) port no. Phil-moc 937833
Corson-Brooks purple meter box
model 419 with "T" st)'!e bolt
down lid, or opproved equol
1" Phil-moc reducing tee,
1" CTS Ie 1" CTS x 3/4" riP, (with
inserts) part no. Phil-moc 937432
RESIDENTIAL RECLAIMED WA TER CONNECTION
NOTES:
1. "0 customer does not hove on in ground sprinkler system, item (1) is
replaced with 0 1" Phil-moc blanking plug, port no. Phil-mac 8039.
2. Saddles required for 011 service connections to 4" PVC mains; for
2" service connections to 6" and larger PVC mains.
3. Saddles sholl have double stainless steel straps with epoxy coated
ductile iron body.
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Note: Lawn Meter, RP Device,
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Connection to Cooling Tower Feed
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