Reclaimed Water

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.

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.

1. Check Reclaimed Water Availability:
   • Call the Water Division at 727-298-3100, press 1, to verify if your address is eligible for reclaimed water service.
2. Schedule Pre-inspection:
   • Arrange an appointment with the Reclaim Specialist for a pre-inspection of your property.
3. Apply and Pay for Permit Online:
   • Visit the City of Dunedin website.
   • Create an account in the permitting section.
   • Click on "Apply" and select "Miscellaneous Plumbing."
   • Input your address and proceed to the next steps.
   • Provide a description and valuation.
   • Add the property owner and plumbing contractor details.
   • Attach the Notice of Commencement, Plumbing Plans, and Pink Slip from the Reclaim Specialist.
   • Electronically sign, review and submit the application.
4. Contract Signing:
   • Once the permit is approved, the Reclaim Specialist will contact you.
   • Meet at the installation site to sign the Capital Cost Recovery Fee (CCRF) contract.
5. CCRF Processing:
   • The signed CCRF contract is sent to the City Clerk's office for authorization.
6. Meter Installation:
   • The Reclaim Specialist will install the meter on your property.
7. Payment Options:
   • Payments for the CCRF can be made monthly with 7% interest over 20 years through your utility bill or paid in full at the Utility Billing office.
8. Final Inspection:
   • Once payments are settled, request a final inspection with Community Development through your portal to close out the permit.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully set up reclaimed water service at your property if available.