How can property owners obtain reclaimed water service for their community?
Reclaimed water in Northwest Hillsborough County is presently fully committed. Hillsborough County staff will work with homeowner association representatives to evaluate the feasibility within your community. If it is identified as a feasible reclaimed water project, the community will be placed on a waiting list and will be notified in writing when reclaimed water becomes available.

Reclaimed water capacity in South/Central Hillsborough County is currently available. Hillsborough County staff will work with homeowner associations to determine the feasibility and cost involved to construct a reclaimed water distribution system to their subdivision. A member of the homeowner association or neighborhood representative should call 272-5977, extension 43245 or 43119 to obtain more information.

What is the monthly user charge for residential reclaimed water service?
Single-Family Residential Accounts shall be assessed in accordance with the following table.

⁽¹⁾Residential properties in reclaimed water improvement units created pursuant to County ordinances (RWIUs) on or before April 1, 1997 are eligible for Initial-Class reclaimed water connections. Initial-Class rates shall remain fixed through March 31, 2007. Beginning April 1, 2007, Initial-Class rates will be increased over a 3-year phase-in period to the then-current rates for Committed-Class connections.

⁽²⁾The rates in this subclass apply only to reclaimed water connections of 1 inch or smaller. Connections larger than 1 inch are subject to Metered-Class rates.

⁽³⁾Residential properties in RWIUs created prior to November 20, 2001 and residential properties in neighborhoods for which a conditional approval for connection of the neighborhood to the County’s reclaimed water system was issued prior to November 20, 2001 are eligible for Committed-Class reclaimed water connections. The owners of residential properties within such neighborhoods or their legal representatives may enter into an agreement with the County—individually or collectively—documenting a 30-year exemption from metered reclaimed water service within the neighborhood.

Are there any additional charges for reclaimed water?
In addition to the monthly user fee, there are additional costs for each flat or metered rate connection to the County’s reclaimed water system.
The connection charge for a standard residential 5/8 X 3/4 dual-check back-flow prevention device is currently $60. The charge for a standard pre-tapped residential metered connection is an additional $25. (This charge will be billed as a one time charge on your monthly water bill)

The homeowner is responsible for all costs to connect their sprinkler system to the County’s Reclaimed water connection box. This connection must be performed by a licensed irrigation or plumbing contractor and does require a permit. To confirm the validity of a contractor’s license, homeowners can contact Development Services, Contractor Licensing, at (813) 635-7308.

Are there any watering hour restrictions on reclaimed water?
No. The use of residential reclaimed water is not currently restricted. Residents are encouraged to irrigate before 8:00am or after 6:00pm.

Homeowners are allocated sufficient water to irrigate their landscape in drought conditions. This is a precious resource and should be used wisely. Over watering could temporarily deplete the system. The result of this temporary depletion could result in low pressure to your community.

The DEP has developed stringent regulations for the quality of reclaimed water including the operation and design of reclaimed water "public access" systems that provide reclaimed water. In developing these requirements, DEP's highest consideration is the protection of public health. Reclaimed water is monitored and tested daily to make sure DEP standards are met or exceeded. Reclaimed water is generally of much higher quality than the surface water which individuals might come in contact with in nearby rivers, streams, lakes or ponds.

1. Approved uses for reclaimed water identified in Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Chapter 62-610:
   1. Landscape irrigation via an in-ground sprinkler system. Reclaimed water may also be applied using a hose bibb (connection) assembly that is located in a below-ground locked vault or service box and clearly labeled as being of non-potable quality (bearing the words in English and Spanish: "Do Not Drink -- No Beber" together with the equivalent standard international symbol). Hillsborough County requires that the hose bibb connection assembly, including the lock box and rubber hose, be as specified in the Water, Wastewater, and Reclaimed Water Technical Manual, Section 6.
   2. Cooling water, wash water, or process water at industrial facilities per DEP Rule 62-610.650 FAC.
   3. Irrigation of edible crops. Direct contact (application) is allowed on crops that will be peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before consumption is allowed, such as tobacco or citrus. An indirect application method, such as ridge and furrow irrigation, drip irrigation, or a subsurface distribution system that will preclude direct contact of the crops, is allowed for edible crops that are not peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before consumption.
   4. Aesthetic purposes. Reclaimed water may be used in decorative pools, fountains, ponds, and other aesthetic features. An aesthetic feature that is a water of the state or will discharge to waters of the state is subject to compliance with Chapter 62-650 F.A.C.
   5. Toilet Flushing and Fire Protection for commercial or industrial processes as per DEP Rule 62-610.476 FAC.
   6. Dust Control at construction sites per DEP Rule 62-610.478 FAC.
   7. Other reuse applications such as washing of vehicles, roads, sidewalks, and outdoor work areas and mixing of concrete as per DEP Rule 62-610.480 FAC. Reclaimed water shall not be used to fill swimming pools, hot tubs, or wading pools.
2. Customer’s irrigation system. Reuse customers shall install and maintain both a cut-off valve on the customer’s side of the service connection and an operable automatic rain sensing shut-off device, per County Ordinance 94-12. Customers shall maintain their irrigation systems in proper working condition and adjust sprinklers and timing schedule to preclude reclaimed water from pooling or draining onto adjacent properties, streets, storm sewers, or water bodies.
3. Separation distance. A separation distance of 75 feet is required between a potable water well and the reclaimed water spray area. Low trajectory nozzles are required for any areas irrigated by reclaimed water within 100 feet of public eating, drinking or bathing facilities.
4. Potable water protection. To protect the public potable (drinking) water supply, the customer shall install and maintain a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device at points of connection where the customer’s potable system is connected to the public potable water main.
5. Cross connection protection. The customer’s reclaimed water system shall be completely isolated and may not be linked by valve or direct connection to any other water source including the public water supply, any groundwater well, or lake withdrawal system. Cross connections or dual connections with other potable or non-potable water sources are not allowed.
6. Identification of pipes, valves, etc. All reclaimed water pipes, valves, and outlets shall be color-coded purple or appropriately tagged or labeled in English and Spanish: "Do Not Drink --No Beber" together with the equivalent standard international symbol to differentiate reclaimed water from domestic or other water sources and to inform the public that the water is not intended for drinking.
7. Signage. The customer shall post County approved advisory signage notifying the public of the use of reclaimed water in accordance with DEP Rule 62-610.468(2) - (5), at their facility entrances and intermittently throughout the zone of application. The County will provide the appropriate signage to the customer.