A reclaimed water project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Winter Haven will expand reclaimed water service in the northern service area, offsetting about 454,000 gallons of potable water per day.
The project will connect several developments, including Hampton Cove, Lakes at Lucerne Park, Sunset Hills, Royal Hills, and Lake Henry Isles, to the reclaimed water system. As a result, reclaimed water will be available to approximately 2,019 potential customers.
According to the city, approximately 75 percent of the residents are expected to hook-up to the service. With a 75 percent participation rate, the project will provide approximately 908,000 gallons per day (gpd) of reclaimed water to the area.
The city requires new developments to install reclaimed water distribution lines so when the city extends reclaimed water main lines to the developments, residents can be connected to the system.
Construction is slated to begin in September and be complete in April 2010.
This cooperatively funded effort is expected to cost $2.2 million with the District’s Peace River Basin Board contributing up to $1.1 million. This is the second year of funding for this project. The Basin Board budgeted $320,328 in fiscal year 2009. $120,328 of this funding came from the state Water Protection and Sustainability Trust Fund. Additional funding for future fiscal years is contingent upon Basin Board approval.
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.