Public Notification
Requirements for Public Access Reuse Systems
Reclaimed water meeting the
requirements of Part III of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., can be safely used for irrigation of
residential lawns, golf courses, schools, parks, athletic fields, edible crops, and other
landscape areas. Other uses of reclaimed water meeting Part III requirements include dust
control at construction sites, car washing, commercial laundries, aesthetic uses (i.e.,
decorative ponds, fountains, and water features), toilet flushing, and fire protection.
The three key components to a Part III reuse system are:
- Production of a high quality reclaimed water at the domestic wastewater treatment
facility,
- Cross-connection control, and
- Ensuring that reuse customers and the public are informed about the proper use of
reclaimed water.
The focus of this article is public notification. Public notification is important
because the public has a right to know and to make informed decisions. Informed users make
better decisions and will use reclaimed water appropriately, and informed users are less
likely to create cross-connections between drinking water and reuse lines.
It is the permittee’s responsibility to ensure that:
- Reclaimed water delivered to users is of acceptable quality for the intended use at the
point of delivery;
- Reclaimed water is used in a manner consistent with Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., and the
permit, such that public health and environmental quality are protected;
- Users of reclaimed water are informed about the origin, nature, and characteristics of
reclaimed water; and limitations on the use of reclaimed water. [see Rules 62-610.800(12)
& 62-610.468(6), F.A.C.]
Code of Good Practices
for Water Reuse
DEP and the Florida Water Environment Association’s Water Reuse Committee
developed the "Code of Good Practices for Water Reuse"
as a guide for reuse utilities. This guide
essentially defines quality reuse programs. The need for effective communication and
public notification are highlighted in the
"Code of Good Practices for Water Reuse".
Sample Flyer
The following sample flyer contains information that the permittee is required to
provide to the reuse customers and others within the reclaimed water service area. The
sample flyer also contains some optional language/information that the permittee may want
to consider including in the flyer.
Reporting to DEP
In 1999, the Annual Reuse Report was revised to include reporting requirements for
public notification activities for Part III reuse systems. These facilities must report
details of written public notification activities, activities involving news media,
advisory signs, and other public notification activities (i.e., presentations, workshops,
tours, etc.).
Advisory Signs
Advisory signs designating the nature of the reuse project must be posted in areas
where reuse is practiced. Advisory signs may be posted at entrances to residential
neighborhoods where reclaimed water is used for landscape irrigation, and at the entrance
of golf courses and at the first and tenth tees. The use of purple as a prominent color on
advisory signs and written notices related to a reuse project is recommended but not
required. Advisory signs must include the text: "Do not drink" in English and
Spanish together with the equivalent standard international symbol [sample advisory sign
with symbol provided below]. Advisory signs posted adjacent to lakes/ponds or other
decorative water features that use reclaimed water must also include the text: "Do
not swim" in English and Spanish together with the equivalent standard international
symbol [sample advisory sign with symbol provided below]. The English/Spanish and
international symbol requirements will be included in new permits, and will be added to
the permits of existing facilities upon permit renewal or permit modification.
There are no specific size requirements for advisory signs, nor are there any
requirements on the number of signs to provide at sites using reclaimed water. However,
all signs should be clearly legible, and enough signs should be posted to ensure
reasonable notice is provided to the public.
Educating the public about the need for water conservation and reuse, as well as the
origin, nature, and proper use of reclaimed water is an important component in protecting
public health and environmental quality, and the management of the reuse system are
emphasized in the
"Code of Good Practices for Water Reuse"
in Florida.
The following link provides examples of advisory signs meeting the requirements of Rule
62-610.468, F.A.C.
Recommended Communication with Regulatory
Agencies
As noted in the "Code of Good Practices for Water Reuse",
effective communication and establishment of partnerships with the regulatory agencies are
key elements in reuse system management. This is particularly true for the Part III public
access reuse system. Multiple agencies (local and state) may have interest and involvement
in the implementation and review of cross-connection control activities. Effective
communication is needed to ensure that all parties are aware of what’s happening
within the reuse system.
The permittee is required to obtain written permission from the DEP before the initial
part of the reuse system is placed in operation. However, formal notification to DEP or
other agencies is not required as subsequent portions of the reuse system are constructed.
Given the importance of
cross-connection control issues and emphasis placed on establishing partnerships and
effective communication in the
"Code of Good Practices for
Water Reuse", it is recommended (but not required) that the utility notify the DEP
district office, the county health department, and other parties involved in the
implementation of the cross-connection control program as additional portions of the reuse
system are constructed.
