|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclaimed Water Reclaimed water is used throughout the City of St. Pete Beach for irrigation purposes. With reclaimed water, you pay a small monthly fee and use as much as you would like. Drinking water and sewer are billed separately. Services
Background – History For several years, the City of St. Pete Beach attempted to obtain reclaimed water for its citizens. The result of these efforts went to a referendum on June 30, 1992, and the voters approved the financing and construction of a reclaimed water project. Reclaimed water is the product of an advanced wastewater treatment process that eliminates harmful by products while retaining beneficial elements to improve plant growth and appearance. Using reclaimed water is a way to conserve the drinking water supply as well as to create a new source for irrigation that is almost unlimited. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (Now the Florida Department o environmental Protection) and other regulatory agencies strongly recommend and encourage the use of reclaimed water as a measure for conservation of the States valuable water resources. St. Pete Beach is committed to develop its reclaimed water distribution system in accordance with the best environmental practices to conserve the State’s water resources Approved Uses for Reclaimed Water Reclaimed water shall be sued for irrigation of public and private landscaped areas and such other uses as are permitted by law. Reclaimed water may be used in conjunction with a drip type irrigation system to irrigate vegetable gardens. Vegetables should be watered indirectly through the root system. Current City and State regulations dictate that reclaimed water shall not be used for drinking purposes and/or in swimming pools, not shall there be any above ground hose connections. If questions arise concerning the uses of reclaimed water, please contact the Utilities Superintendent at 727-363-9254. The common sense approach to using reclaimed water follows the three don’ts. DON’T DRINK RECLAIMED WATER DON’T BATHE IN RECLAIMED WATER DON’T COOK WITH RECLAIMED WATER Ownership All reclaimed water facilities and appurtenances within dedicated public right-of-way easements, when constructed or accepted, by the City, shall become and remain the property of the City. No person shall by payment of any charges provided herein, or by causing any construction of facilities accepted by the City, acquire any interest or right in any of these facilities or any portion thereon, other than the privilege of having their property connected thereto and for reclaimed water service in accordance with these policies and any amendments thereof. Identification All pipes and above ground cross-connection control devices accepted into existing systems shall be adequately identified by color according to which system being added.
Discontinuing Service – By City The City may discontinue reclaimed water service to any customer due to an infraction of the reclaimed water system’s procedures and regulations, non-payment of bills, for tampering with nay service, plumbing cross-connections with another water source or for any reason deemed to be detrimental to the reclaimed water system. The City has the right to cease service until the conditions corrected and all costs and fees due to the City are paid. These costs and fees may include delinquent billings, connection charges and payment for any damage caused to the system. Should a discontinued service be turned on without authorization, the City shall remove the service and impose an additional charge for removal. Discontinuing Service – By Customer There is no fee for discontinuing reclaimed water service. A request to discontinue service must be received by the Utilities Division, in writing from the property owner. This written request shall be addressed to:
All current bills shall be paid by the customer including a bill for the use of reclaimed water during the period up to the physical discontinuation of service. Service Interruption The City and Pinellas County reserve the right to temporarily discontinue service to any portion of, or the entire reclaimed water system as deemed necessary by the Utilities Superintendent. The Utilities Superintendent shall have the authority to establish schedules, which restrict the use of reclaimed water system at certain times in order to reduce the maximum pressure demands on the system and to regulate usage during periods of limited reclaimed water availability. Run-Off Control and Maintenance The property owner and/or customer shall be responsible for the operation of their irrigation system to ensure that neither ponding nor run-off from the spray site occurs as a result of the spray irrigation of the reclaimed water. The property owner and/or shall operate their irrigation system at all times in a prudent manner and shall curtail irrigation during storm weather conditions. Rates and Charges The rate for reclaimed water service is based on a unit of measurement called and Estimated Residential Unit (ERU). A single ERU is equivalent to 3,150 square feet of permeable area. This excludes driveways, pools, walkways or any other area impermeable to the percolation of water. However, the estimation of ERU does count planters and other areas where percolation may occur. All single family units will be assessed a fee equal to 1 ERU, without consideration of the actual permeable area present. Commercial, multifamily residential, public and/or park uses are measured to determine the number of ERU’s present and assessed a fee accordingly. The cost for reclaimed water is equal to $10.00 per ERU + a $1.50 administrative fee. For example a single-family residential unit obtaining reclaimed water service (no matter how many ERU’s are present) would be assessed a fee of $11.50 per month. A commercial area with 3 ERU’s would be assessed a charge of $31.50 for the provision of reclaimed water. Billing The monthly fee for the provision of reclaimed water will be billed to the consumer on a combined bill with other City or County service, such as potable water. The billing is done on a bi-monthly basis. Additional Information If you have any questions regarding the reclaimed water system uses, please contact William G. Miller at (727) 363-9254. Should you have any question regarding your bill, please contact Pinellas County Utilities – Customer Service at (727) 464-4000.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
