Does reclaimed water reduce the amount of fertilizer needed for Florida landscapes?
Reclaimed water may contain plant nutrients, especially N and P, which may need to be considered in any fertility program. It is not clear that all the nutrients in reclaimed water are available for plants. Over-application of, and high salt content in, reclaimed water may damage turfgrass roots. Applying too much reclaimed water may cause runoff and contamination of the local waterways. Not all reclaimed water contains the same concentration of N, and the analysis can vary daily. Thus, one should obtain a representative analysis of the reclaimed water and adjust the rate of applied fertilization based on the amount of reclaimed water used. The nutrient content of reclaimed water can also vary greatly depending on the processes used by a particular water reclamation facility. Water reclamation facilities, in general, have not yet begun to educate their customers about the nutrients they are receiving. UF/IFAS can play a role in educating the public on the “free” fertilizer in reclaimed
