The Southwest Florida Water Management District is expanding the availability of reclaimed water to new residential developments through a new grant program aimed at builders and developers.
The goal of the Grants for Reclaimed Irrigation Projects (GRIP) program, which was developed from a recommendation by the District’s Reclaimed Water Task Force, is to help offset the cost of installing reclaimed water distribution lines in new residential developments. Transmission lines bring reclaimed water from the water treatment plant to the entrance of neighborhoods. Distribution lines bring the reclaimed water from the transmission lines into the neighborhood and to each residence.
This program will maximize the beneficial use of reclaimed water to offset demand for traditional, high-quality water supplies; such as ground and potable alternative water sources.
The GRIP program is being funded through the District’s Alafia River, Hillsborough River, Northwest Hillsborough, Pinellas-Anclote River and Manasota Basin Boards. Each of the five basins have budgeted $500,000 for this program in fiscal year (FY) 2009. The GRIP program will reimburse the developer up to 50 percent of the cost, or $600 per residence connected to the reclaimed water system, whichever is the less.
The GRIP program is open to new developments that meet the following criteria:
- Developments must fall within the five basins funding the program.
- Only new residential developments not beyond the stages of design and permitting will be considered.
- Projects must further the District goal of maximizing the beneficial use of reclaimed water to offset demand for potable water supplies.
- Reclaimed water transmission lines to the development must either exist or be in a utility Capital Improvement Plan, or its equivalent, showing that construction is planned and budgeted, and the lines will be in place within the next five years.
- Developers must have investigated and plan to use any other available alternative water sources.
- An agreement with the reclaimed water supplier will be required that states that reclaimed water will be supplied to the development for a 20-year term.
- The utility must be given access and control of the reclaimed water master meter and must approve the specifications for construction of the distribution system.
Applications are being accepted October 1 through December 5. For more information about the application process, please visit the District’s web site atwww.WaterMatters.org/grip/ or call the Conservation Projects Section at 800-423-1476, ext. 4285.
Reclaimed water is wastewater that has received at least secondary treatment and is used for a beneficial purpose, such as irrigation. By offsetting demand for ground water and surface water, this alternative, non-traditional water source reduces stress on environmental systems, provides economic benefits by delaying costly water system expansions, and eliminates the need to discharge wastewater effluent to surface waters.