Reuse Information

The City of Clermont is helping to conserve drinking water resources, by providing reclaimed water for use in some areas. The East Side Water Reclamation Facility can currently produce an average of 2.6 million gallons of reclaimed water each day. Reclaimed water is collected domestic wastewater treated to very high standards and then redistributed for use as irrigation water. The process to recover, clean, disinfect and redistribute reclaimed water is referred to as reuse. The Department of Environmental Protection requires that all reclaimed water be transported and distributed through purple pipes to differentiate it from the blue drinking water pipes. Purple irrigation pipe has been installed in many of the City's newer subdivisions in anticipation of being able to provide those subdivisions with reclaimed water in the future. The City of Clermont currently has 65 miles of reuse pipe that we maintain.

Reclaim Water Use Tips

Above ground hose bibs (spigots or other hand operated connections) should not be present. Hose bibs shall be located in locked vaults, services boxes, or compartments which shall be clearly labeled as being non-potable quality (bearing the words in English and Spanish: "Do not drink" together with the equivalent standard international symbol).

Reclaimed water shall not be used to fill swimming pools, hot tubs, or wading pools.

There shall be a setback distance of 75 feet from the edge of the wet area of the public access land application area to potable water supply wells that are existing or have been approved by the Department or by the Department of Health (5) Setback distances are not required for surface waters or developed areas.

Edible Crops

• Irrigation of edible crops that will be peeled, skinned, cooked or thermally processed before consumption is allowed. Direct contact of the reclaimed water with such edible crops is allowed.
• Irrigation of tobacco or citrus is allowed. Direct contact of the reclaimed water with tobacco or citrus is allowed, including citrus used for fresh table fruit, processing into concentrate, or other purposes.
• Irrigation of edible crops that will not be peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before consumption is allowed if an indirect application method that will preclude direct contact with the reclaimed water (such as ridge and furrow irrigation, drip irrigation, or a subsurface distribution system) is used.
• Irrigation of edible crops that will not be peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before consumption using an application method that allows for direct contact of the reclaimed water on the crop is prohibited.
• For questions about reuse in the City of Clermont, contact the Utilities Department at 241-0178.