What is reclaimed water?
Reclaimed water is domestic wastewater which has been treated and disinfected to a high degree such that it cam be safely used to irrigate golf courses and residential lawns. Reclaimed water must meet strict water quality requirements established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Although reclaimed water meets most of the drinking water standards and is safe for human contact, it is not intended for use as drinking water.
Reclaimed water is wastewater which has undergone a treatment process, but does not meet drinking (potable) water standards. At UCSB, reclaimed water is used for irrigation, and is used in some buildings to flush toilets. This water is piped from wastewater treatment facilities through different lines than those used for drinking water. The use of reclaimed water is beneficial as it frees up freshwater for other purposes and costs UCSB 80% less than potable water. In addition, pumping, purifying, and cleaning, requires a lot of energy. Reclaimed water is treated, but only must travel about a mile back to campus from the treatment plantmuch less energy required!
As defined in Texas law, “Reclaimed water is domestic or municipal wastewater which has been treated to a quality suitable for beneficial use” (30TAC 210.3 relating to Use of Reclaimed Water, Definitions). It is important to point out that reclaimed water is not the same as greywater which is untreated, non-toilet, and household water including water from sinks, showers, and baths.
Reclaimed water is non-potable water that has been treated and meets state water quality standards. Durham recently began offering the water at no cost to certified customers. City officials say reclaimed water can be used safely in irrigation, street cleaning, dust control, concrete production, decorative ponds and soil compaction. It may not be used for drinking, cooking, bathing, filling pools or watering edible plants.
