Reclaimed Water

About Reclaimed Water

Reclaimed water is a combination of treated wastewater from homes and businesses, and the by-product of the City's reverse osmosis water treatment plant. This water is transported through sewer mains and pumping stations to the City's advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Dunedin provides high-quality reclaimed water that is perfect for landscape irrigation. It undergoes advanced technical processes designed by engineers, managed by skilled and licensed City staff, and tested in sophisticated laboratories. 

Conserving Reclaimed Water

  • Water early in the morning: This reduces evaporation, ensuring reclaimed water is used efficiently.
  • Water deeply and infrequently: Encourages deep root growth and reduces runoff, conserving reclaimed water.
  • Adjust your sprinklers: Ensure reclaimed water is directed where needed, reducing waste.
  • Use drip irrigation: Delivers water directly to plant roots, minimizing reclaimed water usage.
  • Use native plants: These require less water, conserving reclaimed water by using plants adapted to the local climate.
  • Use mulch: Retains soil moisture, reducing the need for reclaimed water.
  • Adjust watering based on weather: Prevents over-watering and conserves reclaimed water.

Using reclaimed water conserves potable water, but it's still a limited resource. Follow the above tips to use it efficiently while maintaining a healthy landscape.

 

Reclaimed Water Consumer Confidence Reports

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) establishes strict regulations which limit the amount of contaminants in reclaimed water. A Reclaimed Water Consumer Confidence Report (CCR),required by FDEP, is available to reclaimed customers every year and lists contaminants present in the source water for reclaimed water.

2022-reclaimed-water-consumer-confidence-report.pdf(PDF, 108KB)  

Rates

The amount of reclaimed water allocated to a customer is based on 0.8 inches of water per week multiplied by the customer's pervious acreage (total acreage minus the area of the house, pool and driveway). Irrigate within assigned dry season allocation to avoid paying $2.00 per 1,000 gallons of over-used reclaim water. The allocation table below shows how pervious acreage ranges determine your property's allocation. If you have questions about your allocation, please contact the Water Department at (727) 298-3100

Step 1.Rates

  • 0-15,000 gallons = $0.50 per thousand gallons
  • 16,000-125,000 gallons = $0.25 per thousand gallons
  • Over 125,000 gallons = $0.10 per thousand gallons

Step 2.Acreage and Allocations

  • 0.01-0.16 acres = 14,000 gallons or less
  • 0.16-0.19 acres = 17,000 gallons or less
  • 0.19-0.21 acres = 18,000 gallons or less
  • 0.21-0.25 acres = 22,000 gallons or less
  • 0.25-0.29 acres = 25,000 gallons or less
  • 0.29-0.50 acres = 43,000 gallons or less
  • 0.50-1.10 acres = 96,000 gallons or less
  • 1.10-10 acres = 869,000 gallons or less
  • 10-30 acres = 2,607,000 gallons or less
  • 30-100 acres = 8,689,000 gallons or less

 

Map & Schedule

Step 1.Interactive Map

Step 2.Schedule During Dry Season

 

Monday, Thursday & Saturday 

Zone 1:  5 a.m. - 7 a.m.
Zone 2:  7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Zone 3:  6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Zone 4:  8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Tuesday, Friday & Sunday 

Zone 5:  5 a.m. - 7 a.m.
Zone 6:  7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Zone 7:  6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Zone 8:  8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

No Watering

Between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily
Wednesdays

 

FAQs
What is an Allocation, how is it determined, and why is it important?

The Allocation is the amount or volume of reclaimed water available to customers during the Dry Season (February thru June) to which the surcharge fee does not apply. 

How is it determined?

The allocation is based on 0.8 inches of water per week (3.2 inches per month) multiplied by the amount of pervious acreage (total acreage minus the area of the house, patio, sidewalk, driveway, etc.) on a customer's property.

Why is it Important?

The allocation determines the overall size (number of customers) the Reclaimed Water System can sustain and provides for a base line of irrigation usage for each property.  The allocation is important to the customer as it could affect the utility bill during the dry season if the allocation is exceeded.  Customers who exceed their dry season allocation will incur an over use surcharge fee of $2.00 per thousand gallons of overuse.

Can Reclaimed Water be used to water my garden?

Reclaimed Water can safely be used for crops that will be peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before eating. However, Reclaimed Water must not come into direct contact with plants, vegetables or fruit that are eaten raw.

Can I use drip irrigation with Reclaimed Water?

Yes.

Does Reclaimed Water smell?

No.

Can I have a hose bib or a garden hose connected to Reclaimed Water?

To prevent water cross-connections, the use of hose bibs and garden hoses is not permitted.

What are the gallons per minute flow for Reclaimed Water Meters?
  • 1"    Meter =  25 gpm
  • 1.5" Meter = 175 gpm
  • 2"    Meter = 250 gpm 
What is Reclaimed Waters pound per square inch (PSI) pressure?

55-60 PSI

What does it cost to hook-up to Reclaimed Water?

Capital Cost Recovery Fees (CCRFs) are collected for all new Reclaimed Water Connections.  CCRFs can be paid in full at the time of installation, or financed for 20 years at 7% interest.  Call the Water Division at 727- 298-3100 for more information.

How do I connect to Reclaimed Water?

Call the Water Division at 727- 298-3100 to determine if Reclaimed Water is available for your property.

Reclaimed Water in Dunedin

Customers in the City of Dunedin can rely on high-quality reclaimed water for landscape irrigation. This water is treated using advanced processes designed by engineers, operated by skilled and licensed city staff, and tested in sophisticated laboratories.

Using the City's reclaimed water for irrigation is safe and protects both the environment and public health. The program also helps conserve groundwater, ensuring a sustainable drinking water supply for the future.

Reclaimed water is produced from treated wastewater collected from homes, businesses, and by-product water from the city's reverse osmosis water treatment plant. The wastewater is transported through sewer mains and pumping stations to the city's advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility.

This facility operates year-round, 24/7, and is managed by skilled operators, mechanics, and electricians dedicated to providing top-quality reclaimed water. The wastewater undergoes various treatment processes to remove odors, oils, grease, organic matter, solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, metals, bacteria, and other contaminants.

The resulting reclaimed water meets all state standards for landscape irrigation. It is then pumped to customers and stored in four tanks located throughout the city.

 

Cross Connection Control "Protecting You"

In accordance with the City's Cross-Connection Control Program, the Water Division installs a backflow prevention assembly at the water meters of homes in subdivisions with reclaimed water service.

A backflow prevention assembly is a mechanical device that meets standards set by the American Water Works Association, the American Society of Sanitary Engineers, and the Foundation for Cross-Connection and Hydraulic Research. This device protects you by preventing potential contaminants or pollutants from flowing back into the public water supply from your plumbing.

Each year, every backflow prevention assembly is tested to ensure it is working properly. The Water Division staff will repair or replace any faulty assemblies at no additional cost to you.

Additionally, the Water Division staff annually tests each customer's reclaimed water irrigation system and drinking water plumbing to ensure they remain separate and that no cross-connection has occurred.

For more information about reclaimed water and cross-connection control, contact the Water Division.

Updates

Water & Irrigation Restrictions and Fines

No watering between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily from February 1 through June  30 (dry season) and no watering at any time on Wednesdays!

 

Please irrigate only within your assigned dry season allocation to avoid a charge of $2.00 per 1,000 gallons for excess reclaimed water use.

 

Do not water during the following times:

  • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (during dry season)
  • 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily (during dry season) 
  • All day on Wednesday

These periods are reserved for filling storage tanks and system maintenance. If you have any questions about your watering schedule, please contact the Water Division at 727-298-3100.

Reclaimed Water Availability

Please note, during very dry conditions and high demand, the City may temporarily pause reclaimed water service to replenish the supply for existing customers. Currently, no new reclaimed watermains are being built, but there are a limited number of connections available on existing reclaimed watermains.

 

To find out if reclaimed water is available at your location, contact the Dunedin Water Division at 727-298-3100.

Contact Us

1401 County Road 1
Dunedin, FL 34698
727- 298-3100

Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

After Hours Emergency (24/7)
727- 462-0534

 

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