Why reuse water?
While Florida receives a large amount of rainfall compared to other states, approximately half of the rainfall occurs over the four months from June to September, and the remaining half falls between the other eight months of the year. Periodic droughts combined with increased demand for fresh, clean surface and groundwater for public consumption have resulted in periodic and prolonged water shortages. Florida’s population is expected to increase from 16 million in 1995 to 22 million by the year 2020 and freshwater needs are expected to grow from 8.2 to 9.1 billion gallons per day (Florida Council of 100, 2003). Currently a large percentage (40-60%) of potable water (drinking quality water) is used for non-potable needs such as landscape irrigation. Conservation measures such as irrigating with reclaimed water is one way to reduce the use of existing potable water supplies. Reusing water has several environmental benefits: • Reduced groundwater withdrawals; • Reduced need for new drink
