10/24/11
Anthony Andrade
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Over the past 30 years water reuse has become an accepted and safe alternative water supply throughout Florida. The growth of reclaimed water use has been especially prevalent in urban centers for irrigation, as up to 50 percent of a community’s drinking water is used on landscapes. Much of this irrigation water could be replaced with reclaimed water. The utilities within the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) recognized reclaimed water’s potential and have become leaders in the reuse industry. District-wide reclaimed water use has grown from 10 mgd in 1980 to 150 mgd in 2010. Much of the expansion is due to the assistance provided by the District. Since the late 1980’s, the District has provided $343 million for 308 reclaimed water projects worth more than $823 million. As a result, utilities within the District now serve more than 100,000 reuse customers. When all of the ongoing reuse projects are completed, they will make 232 mgd of reclaimed water available. As of 2010, 10% of all water use in the District was supplied by reclaimed water, and by 2030 that is anticipated to grow to nearly 20% and exceed 374 mgd. Challenges remain in maximizing reclaimed water resources. This presentation will focus on the history of reclaimed water, the District’s long-term goals, development costs, overuse, nutrients, chlorides and quality.
Reclaimed Infrastructure Within the Southwest Florida Water Management District |
Anthony Andrade is a Senior Water Conservation Analyst and Project Manager specializing in reclaimed water at the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Mr. Andrade holds a B.A. degree from the University of South Florida (1987) and is a state certified wastewater treatment plant operator and reclaimed water specialist. Mr. Andrade has been in the reclaimed water field for two decades and has been with the Southwest Florida Water Management District since 1998.
Extra information:
Reclaimed water is used by more than 400 reclaimed water systems in Florida which safely provide reuse to over 280,000 residential irrigation customers, 13,000 acres of edible crops, 525 golf courses, 877 parks, 324 schools and more than 100 industrial/commercial customers across the State (FDEP, 2011).
Reclaimed water has safely been used within the United States for nearly 100 years (Golden Gate Park, San Francisco- first customer in 1912) and has been used in Florida for more than 40 years with no documented cases of illness or disease (FDEP).
Recent scientific studies provide perspective on the safe use of reclaimed water.
-According to a national study on the Irrigation of Parks, Playgrounds and Schoolyards with Reclaimed Water (1600 sites) there has been "no incidences of illness or disease from either microbial pathogens or chemicals"(WateReuse Foundation, 2005).
-According to the latest national study comparing reclaimed water quality to surface and groundwater, " results indicate that reuse, surface, and groundwater are more similar than dissimilar" and "the largest difference between reuse and the other waters is that reuse has been disinfected" (CH2MHill, USBR, USGS, University of Miami, and Florida International University for WateReuse Foundation, 2009)
-Florida DEP literature review of research found; “there is no evidence or documentation of any disease associated with water reuse systems in the United States or in other countries that have reasonable standards for reuse” (FDEP, 2003)
-National Academies of Science, Reclaimed Water Study found in 1996; Crops irrigated with reuse “do NOT present a greater risk to the consumer than do crops irrigated from conventional sources”
Reclaimed Water Quality Publication
The brochure includes the findings of studies which have concluded;
-Reclaimed, surface and ground water are more similar than dissimilar(2009),
-No incidences of illness or disease from either microbial pathogens or chemicals, and risks are not measurably different than risks associated with irrigation using potable water (2005),
-There is no evidence or documentation of any disease associated with water reuse systems in the United States or in other countries that have reasonable standards for reuse (2003).
Edible Crop Irrigation Information
In addition to residential irrigation, reclaimed water has safely been used on edible crops for decades. Below are links to a number of published articles/studies on the topic.
The State of California has also done quite a bit of research on the safety of reclaimed water for California’s extremely successful agricultural reuse program. One of the most important is the landmark Monterey agriculture study, which the findings indicated;
-The use of reclaimed water for food crop irrigation is safe and acceptable
-No soil or groundwater quality degradation occurred
-Conventional farming practices were adequate, excellent crop yields were obtained
-There were no obstacles to the marketability of the produce
-There was no accumulation of heavy metals in the crops or soil
-Chlorine residuals had no observable effect on crops, and dechlorination was not necessary
National Reuse Information
The National Research Council (NRC) conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the use of recycled water and residuals in food crop production (NRC, 1996). The NRC concluded that: “Current technology to remove pollutants from wastewater, coupled with existing regulations and guidelines governing the use of recycled water in crop production, are adequate to protect human health and the environment.” They also stated “food crops thus produced do not present a greater risk to the consumer than do crops irrigated from conventional sources.” http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=5175&page=1
International Reuse Information
Other countries such as Australia also have a history of reclaimed water research and use, which the links below provide a brief overview and examples.
Additional Reuse Research and Information
California Agriculture Stewardship Info (lots of reuse info from Ag Industry in CA)
Also below is the contact information for Shanin Speas-Frost (FDEP’s reclaimed water expert). Ms. Speas-Frost has a wealth of knowledge and experience related to reuse.
Shanin Speas-Frost, P.E.Water Reuse/Wastewater Wetlands Coordinator
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road MS3540
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400
Phone: 850-245-8610
Fax: 850-245-8621
email: shanin.speasfrost@dep.state.fl.us “Purple is the New Green! Use it Again, Florida!”
Below is the information in a format that is easily emailed (feel free to resend it).
The WateReuse Research Foundation (the largest organization in the US dedicated specifically to reclaimed water and desalination research) and The Water Research Foundation (the largest organization in the US dedicated to drinking water research) have completed two landmark studies on microconstituents (hormones, steroids, endocrine disrupting compounds-EDCs, pathogens, pharmaceuticals and personal care products-PPCPs in water and other sources).
The first is a 2009 study by the WateReuse Research Foundation (A Reconnaissance-Level Quantitative Comparison of Reclaimed Water Surface Water and Groundwater). The results of that study comparing levels of microconstituents in various water types indicated that; “reclaimed, surface, and groundwater are more similar than dissimilar with regard to microconstituents”. The main findings as well as other study information are included below (see WateReuse Research Foundation study).
The second more recent 2010 study by the Water Research Foundation (Toxicological Relevance of EDCs and Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water) was published in the American Water Works Association Journal (AWWA Journal Nov. 2010). This groundbreaking study compared human exposure to trace contaminants from water, air, beverage and food. The results demonstrated the relative exposure to microconstituents from water “pale in comparison” when compared with food, beverage, and air, as “air and dietary routes may account for thousands of times greater exposure to EDCs, PPCPs, carcinogens, and other contaminants”. The main findings and the companion synopsis article, as well as other information which provide perspective on the issue is included below (see Water Research Foundation study).
WateReuse Research Foundation Study
In 2009 The WateReuse Research Foundation published a study (A Reconnaissance-Level Quantitative Comparison of Reclaimed Water Surface Water and Groundwater) which compared levels of microconstituents in various water types (reclaimed, surface and groundwater). The results of the study indicated that; “reclaimed, surface, and groundwater are more similar than dissimilar with regard to microconstituents” (hormones, steroids, endocrine disrupting compounds-EDCs, pathogens, pharmaceuticals and personal care products-PPCPs).
Main Findings:
1. No significant differences in health risks between reclaimed water and other water types were found.
2. Reclaimed water can safely be used on lands within critical (drinking water) watersheds.
3. Reclaimed water was generally not found to cause the quality of surface water to be significantly different.
4. The primary difference between reclaimed, surface and groundwater is that reclaimed water is disinfected and thus has a higher level of disinfection-by-products.
5. Pharmaceuticals, hormones, steroids, organics, nutrients, microbials and synthetic chemical constituents have multiple pathways into the environment and many are now ubiquitous in the environment.
Significance:
The project assists in providing a scientific basis for the sound and responsible development of future projects to increase reclaimed water utilization consistent with goals for water quality, natural systems restoration, and water supply, and more specifically demonstrates that reclaimed water can safely be used on lands within drinking water watersheds.
Additional Copies and Article Link:
Interested parties may obtain copies of the report by ordering on-line http://www.watereuse.org/catalog/research-reports/microbiology-and-disinfection (see "A Reconnaissance-Level Quantitative Comparison of Reclaimed Water, Surface Water, and Groundwater"). A synopsis of the study can be found in Chapter 6 Summary and Conclusions (pages 121-125).
Link to an article on the findings of the study
http://www.wateronline.com/article.mvc/New-Study-Finds-Reclaimed-Water-Quality-0001
Water Research Foundation Study
In 2010 The Water Research Foundation published a study (Toxicological Relevance of EDCs and Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water) which compared levels of microconstituents in various sources (water, air, food and beverages).
The study found that contrary to a common perception of drinking water representing the most direct vector for human exposure, “in fact, based on average daily intake (e.g., 2 liters of water per person per day vs. 24,000 liters of air per person per day), air and dietary routes may account for thousands of times greater exposure to EDCs, PPCPs, carcinogens, and other contaminants”.
Significance:
The project researchers found; “At present, providing a drinking water that is 100% free of EDCs and PPCPs is impossible to achieve, since no technology can completely remove all contaminants. It would also likely provide little benefit, since the concentrations present in drinking water pale in comparison to food and airborne exposure routes”.
Additional Copies and Article Links:
2011 Synopsis Article on the Study (Pages 8-11)
http://www.hazenandsawyer.com/uploads/files/horizons/Horizons_Fall_Summer_2011low_res.pdf
2010 Full Published AWWA Article
http://www.hazenandsawyer.com/uploads/files/Estrogenic_Activity_of_US_Drinking_Waters.pdf
2010 Water Research Foundation Study
http://www.waterrf.org/ProjectsReports/ExecutiveSummaryLibrary/91238_3085_profile.pdf
Note: The Water Research Foundation (http://www.waterrf.org/thefoundation/aboutus/Pages/Overview.aspx) and the WateReuse Research Foundation (http://www.watereuse.org/foundation/about/mission) are two different and independent research organizations. The organizations occasionally co-fund projects jointly, however their primary research focus differs. The Water Research Foundation (headquarters in Denver, CO) is the largest organization in the US dedicated to drinking water research, and the WateReuse Research Foundation (headquarters in Alexandria, VA) is the largest organization in the US dedicated specifically to reclaimed water and desalination research.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you would like to discuss.
Anthony J. Andrade
Project Manager/Senior Water Conservation Analyst
Conservation & Water Use Outreach Section
Resource Projects Bureau
Phone: 1-800-423-1476 (Florida only)
or 352-796-7211, extension 4196
Fax: 352-797-5806
E-Mail: anthony.andrade@swfwmd.state.fl.us 
