 Reuse Water Master Plan
The
Reuse Master Plan, similar to the Water Master Plan and the Wastewater Master Plan,
was developed as a blueprint for the commencement of a wastewater
reuse system. In conjunction with the County's efforts to eliminate
septic tanks and ineffective wastewater package plants, the establishment
of a reuse system will make beneficial use of increased wastewater
flows and provide an important link in the protection of the water
quality of our rivers, lakes and estuaries. The history of success
in using treated wastewater effluents to supply the non-potable
water uses of any community are well documented, but the primary
reason is the protection and conservation of our potable water
resources. A few of the potential uses for reuse water are:
- Agricultural irrigation (such
as pastures, sod farms and seed crops).
- Landscape irrigation (such as
golf courses, parks, playgrounds, nurseries, residences, cemeteries,
highway medians and schoolyards).
- Aesthetic Uses (such as ponds
and fountains).
- Industrial Uses (such as cooling
towers and process water).
- Environmental enhancement through
the beneficial use of wastewater that has received advanced
treatment.
- Home
lawn irrigation (but only in very densely populated areas due
to piping cost)
The implementation of a wastewater reuse system in public access areas first requires
that the wastewater itself be treated to a level where it poses
no health threat. This will require the expansion of the wastewater
plants to include effluent filters and high-level disinfection
equipment. It will also require the construction of pumping facilities,
storage tanks and distribution mains. To take advantage of economies
of scale this can be done during the planned expansion of the
wastewater facilities where reuse systems will be centered. The
County has also received a partial grant from the Southwest Florida
Water Management District (SWFWMD) to initiate a reuse system
at the Meadowcrest Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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