What is Reclaimed Water?

Reclaimed water is the final product of a multiple-stage advanced treatment process that eliminates pathogens and still retains nitrogen and phosphorus elements that work as fertilizers to enhance ornamental plant and turf grass growth.  This treatment process produces a water product ideal for lawn sprinkling, but not suitable for human or animal consumption, primarily due to the chemical salts or nutrients that remain in the water.

Things You Should Know About Using Reclaimed Water

Sprinkling with reclaimed water is not much different from sprinkling with well or tap water.  Please keep in mind that this resource is regulated.  To take advantage of the program, you must already have, or be willing to install, a permanent in-ground sprinkler system.  Existing sprinkler systems can be connected with little or no modifications.  Reclaimed water is a nutrient-rich by-product of a biological treatment process.  Due to its origin and composition, the use of reclaimed water is restricted by federal, state and local ordinances.

How much water is enough?

Efficient watering wets only the turf grass root zone, does not saturate the soil and does not run off.  Here’s a simple watering schedule:  apply ½ inch of water 2 to 3 times weekly in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter.  If it rains, sprinkling should be suspended according to rainfall amount.

Following the Rules

Where reclaimed water is used, all of the “USES NOT PERMITTED” listed are violations of city ordinance or policies.  Allowable watering times are also specified with each address assigned a specific day and time block.  Compliance with these rules and watering restrictions is essential to the long term success of the Reclaim Program.

Uses Not Permitted

• No consumption of reclaimed water (human or animal).
• NO connection to a dwelling for toilet flushing or other household use.
• NO inter-connection with another water source.
• NO sprinkling of edible crops (gardens).
• NO use through hose bibs, faucets, quick couplers or hoses, etc.
• NO filling of swimming pools.
• NO sharing a common reclaimed service or connection between properties.
• NO augmenting lake or pond levels.
• NO filling of decorative pools or fountains.
• NO supplying air cooling systems (A/C units).

• NO washing of equipment such as cars, boats, driveways, structures, etc.

More Information?

Whether you have questions about watering schedules and restrictions, water quality, uses of reclaim water, or conservation initiatives, please call 407-957-7344

Reclaim Irrigation Schedules

In order to provide adequate service to all of our reclaim water customers and comply with South Florida Water Management District conservation initiatives, the mandatory watering schedules listed below have been set.  Watering Schedules are set by the Last Digit of your Home or Business Physical Address. 

For instance, the following Watering Block assignments would apply to these example addresses:

3260 Countryside View Dr -  Block #0.

2302 Giselle Court - Block #2

For Homeowners Associations, Apartments or Other Locations where a Specific Physical Address is Not Available, the Following Blocks are Assigned:

If you have any difficulty identifying your assigned watering schedule or are a business requiring alternate hours due to your operating times, please contact the City of St. Cloud Environmental Utilities Dept. at 407-957-7344.

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