District recognizes May 19th-25th as Water Reuse Week

From the St. John's River Water Management District

To help promote and encourage efficient use of reclaimed water, the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Governing Board has approved a resolution proclaiming May 19-25 as Florida Water Reuse Week.

“Florida is proud to lead the nation in water reuse, long ago recognizing reclaimed water as a way to conserve traditional freshwater supplies,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board Secretary Charles Drake. “Approval of this resolution demonstrates the district’s continued support of the expanded use of reclaimed water to protect Florida’s water supply for future generations.”

Water reuse is the process of using highly treated wastewater for a beneficial purpose. Currently, there are 140 reuse systems in the district that use more than 223 million gallons per day of reclaimed water for things like irrigation of greenspaces, groundwater recharge, environmental enhancement, and industrial purposes.

Since Florida utilities began using reclaimed water in the 1970s, it has become a major component of water resource management by local governments and utilities within the state of Florida and the district.

Since 2007, the state of Florida, the Department of Environmental Protection, water management districts, water utilities, local governments, and water-related organizations have declared the third week in May as Florida Water Reuse Week to promote and encourage efficient use of reclaimed water.

The district actively promotes and encourages efficient and effective use of reclaimed water by:

Implementing a cooperative funding program that provides financial assistance to entities developing alternative water supplies, including water reuse;

Funding studies and pilot programs that promote innovative treatment technologies; and

Engaging in innovative uses and applications of reclaimed water.

For information about the district’s cooperative funding program, visit the district online at www.sjrwmd.com/localgovernments/funding/.

The St. Johns River Water Management District staff are committed to ensuring the sustainable use and protection of water resources for the benefit of the people of the district and the state of Florida. The St. Johns River Water Management District is one of five districts in Florida managing groundwater and surface water supplies in the state. The district encompasses all or part of 18 northeast and east-central Florida counties. District headquarters are in Palatka, and staff also are available to serve the public at service centers in Maitland, Jacksonville, and Palm Bay.