Applicable Rules for Reuse Projects
Chapter 62-610,
F.A.C. (302 KB) – This chapter is entitled "Reuse of Reclaimed Water and Land Application."
These rules govern reuse and land application in Florida. Rule 62-610.810,
F.A.C.,
distinguishes reuse projects from effluent disposal.
Chapter
62-610, F.A.C., was revised and refined in 1989, 1990, and 1996 to include and address
issues such as irrigation of edible crops and other public access areas, industrial uses
of reclaimed water, and other urban uses.
More on revisions to Chapter 62-610 through the years.
At times, the demand for reclaimed water for irrigation
purposes may be reduced due to wet weather conditions. During these times, facilities may
need to dispose of unneeded reclaimed water. Provisions for limited wet weather discharges
for reuse systems are contained in Rule 62-610.860, F.A.C. Under restricted conditions,
the DEP can permit wet weather discharges with minimal water quality review.
Chapter 62-600,
F.A.C. (123 KB) – This chapter entitled
"Domestic Wastewater Facilities," contains requirements for construction,
operation, and permitting of domestic wastewater treatment facilities. Treatment and
disinfection requirements for reuse of reclaimed water are established in Rules 62-600.530
and 62-600.440, F.A.C. Domestic wastewater must meet, at a minimum, a treatment standard
of secondary treatment, basic disinfection and pH control in order to be reused as
reclaimed water.
Note: Florida’s high-level disinfection criteria,
which are integral to the state’s reuse rules, were derived as a result of
experimental work done by the State Virologist, Flora Mae Wellings in the early 1980s.
Chapter 62-601,
F.A.C. – This chapter entitled
"Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Monitoring" contains requirements for
monitoring at domestic wastewater treatment facilities. Requirements for ground water
monitoring at reuse and land application sites are also included.
Chapter 62-40,
F.A.C. – This Chapter entitled
"Water Implementation Rule," formerly known as the
"Water Policy Rule", presents the overall state water policy, provides guidance for
issuing consumptive use permits, establishes requirements for domestic wastewater
treatment facilities, and creates a mandatory reuse program.
Water Management District Rules
Each water management district has developed its own series
of rules designed to implement programs authorized by Chapter 373,
F.S., and by Chapter
62-40, F.A.C. The districts’ rules are contained in the following series within Title
40 of the F.A.C.:
- 40A – Northwest Florida Water Management District
- 40B – Suwannee River Water Management District
- 40C – St. Johns River Water Management District
- 40D – Southwest Florida River Water Management
District
- 40E – South Florida Water Management District
A uniform series of chapter numbers is used by all five
districts. General, procedural, and organizational rules are in Chapter 1. Discussion of
consumptive use permitting is contained in Chapter 2. (i.e., South Florida Water
Management District’s rule dealing with water resource caution area designation is
found in Chapter 40E-23, F.A.C.) The requirement of reuse of reclaimed water in and
outside of water resource caution areas is also discussed within these rules.
2010 State of Florida