Reclaimed Water FAQs

Pinellas County’s reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater. This process eliminates contaminants while retaining benefits for irrigation.

Yes. Lawn watering is limited during dry times of the year to three days per week. Reclaimed water shortages in recent years during the non-rainy season have placed stress on the distribution system. These restrictions will alleviate seasonal shortages and actually help you build a healthier lawn. See the links below for more information:

• Reclaimed Watering Schedule
• Seasonal Restrictions
• Reclaimed Water Usage Ordinance
• County Policy, Procedures and Regulations for Reclaimed Water Service

You can request an application online. For availability, call (727) 464-4000, or email Customer Service.

After you submit an application, you will receive two emails from “no_reply@accela.com”. The first email will confirm the application was received and provide you with a Utility Permit Number. The second email will provide information on the fee invoiced for the application.

Once payment is made, you will receive another email with the original reclaimed water application advising you to call and schedule an inspection.

How do I know if my new home is connected to reclaimed water service?

Upon transfer of owner or resident, the previous account holder must inform the new owner or tenants that the property is connected to Reclaimed Water and should provide a copy of their Application for Reclaimed Water Service and signed Accepted Terms of Agreement. You can view the terms of the application for Reclaimed Water Service here: https://fs30.formsite.com/Pinellas8/reclaimed-water-app/index.html

As of October 1, 2022, the cost to connect a residential 1-inch reclaimed water meter is $630.

Due to an increase in reclaimed water demand, decrease in wastewater coming into the system and customers watering within the same one-day window of allowance, you may experience low reclaimed water pressure while we are under a water shortage order.

Using reclaimed water for irrigation reduces the drinking water demand. It is also more cost-effective and still beautifies our community’s landscaping.

Reclaimed water contains the same nutrients found in common fertilizers. This means if you’re using reclaimed water you can apply less fertilizer, saving you money while protecting our environment! Learn more about reducing fertilizer when irrigate with reclaimed water.

The wastewater treatment and disinfection process for reclaimed water requires four steps:

• Step 1: Eliminate large solids.
• Step 2: Break down smaller solids with microorganisms.
• Step 3: Eliminate undesirable compounds and fine suspended particles.
• Step 4: Eliminate disease-causing organisms by adding chlorine.

You can read more about our reclaimed water quality in the current Reclaimed Water Consumer Confidence Report.

Yes. Pinellas County Utilities follows the highest standards from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and uses some of the most stringent system controls in the country. Pinellas County Utilities, St. Petersburg, Largo, St. Pete Beach, South Pasadena, Pinellas Park, Clearwater, Dunedin and Tarpon Springs safely operate reclaimed water systems.

There is no documentation of any health problems from the reuse of properly treated and disinfected reclaimed water. As a precaution, it is recommended that immunocompromised people avoid being outside when irrigating with reclaimed water.

Reclaimed water is acceptable when:

• Irrigating lawns and most landscaping.
• Washing cars, boats or heavy equipment. However, it is recommended to rinse your vehicle with potable (drinking) water and dry it with a towel to prevent spotting.
• Washing roofs and buildings if the runoff doesn’t flow into a pond or stream.
• In fountains and decorative pools if clearly marked as using reclaimed water.

Reclaimed water is not acceptable for:

• Human use.
• Bathing, cooking or toilet flushing.
• Any interconnection with another water source.
• Recreational use in swimming pools, outdoor showers, or other body contact.
• Irrigation of edible crops that are not peeled, cooked, or thermally processed before consumption.
• Runoff into or filling of swimming pools.

In general, any plant native to this area will grow well when irrigated with reclaimed water. See examples here.

• The program is voluntary, and you can use your existing irrigation system.
• All properties in a designated “readiness to serve zone” are charged an availability fee.
• You must disconnect your well from the irrigation system to participate.
• Irrigation systems connected to a drinking water line must be disconnected.
• No cross-connections are allowed before the reclaimed water system tie-in. A Pinellas County Reclaimed Water Inspector is required to inspect your cross-connection when the reclaimed service tie-in is made.
• An automatic rain shutoff device is required by the state.
• A wye strainer is required during inspection in north Pinellas County. The wye strainer should be cleaned monthly to maintain adequate pressure and maximize sprinkler system efficiency.

NORTH COUNTY

Golf Courses:

• Innisbrook
• Wentworth
• Tarpon Woods
• East Lake Woodlands
• Highland Lakes

Parks:

• Anderson Park
• Conservation Park
• Tarpon Springs Recreation Center

Schools:

• Carwise Middle School
• East Lake High School
• Highland Lakes Elementary School
• Palm Harbor Middle School
• Palm Harbor University High School
• St. Pete College Tarpon Springs Campus
• Sutherland Elementary School

Subdivisions:

• Alderman Ridge
• Allen’s Ridge
• Arbor Glen
• Autumn Woods
• Barrington Oaks
• Beacon Groves
• Berisford
• Carlyle
• Estates of Cobb’s Landing
• Devonshire
• Enniswood
• Highland Lakes (East Dorchester, Macdonnell Dr., Kilwinnng Ct., Aberdeen Ct., Chattan Ct., Bentley Ct., Gregor Ct., Elven Ct., Brighton Ct., Camille Dr.)
• Highlands of Innisbrook
• Historic Palm Harbor
• Indian Trails
• Laurel Oaks
• Oak Trail
• Orange Pointe
• Patty Ann Acres
• Piper’s Meadow
• President’s Landing
• Savannah Pointe
• Sever’s Landing
• Sutton Place
• West Lake Villas Condos
• Westlake Village

Other properties:

• All properties within the boundaries of Bee Pond Road to the north, County Road 39 to the south, Intercoastal to the west, and US Highway 19 to the east except Fox Chase and Fox Lake

SOUTH COUNTY

Golf courses:

• Belleair golf courses (West, East and Belleview Biltmore)
• Seminole Lakes Golf & County Club
• Tides

Parks:

• Seminole City Hall Park

Mainland subdivisions:

• 72nd Ave North (Park Blvd. south to 70 Ave. N. and 71st St. N. west to 77th St. N.)
• Bonnie Bay
• Bonnie Glynn
• Club Chalet
• Five Towns
• Oakhurst Road (Walsingham Road south to 66th Avenue N. and 113th Street west to Boca Ciega Bay)
• Paradise Shores Apts.
• Park Place Condos
• Parkside Villas
• Pinellas Village
• Seminole Lakes
• Sundown Woods
• Tamarac by the Gulf
• Townhomes of Park Place
• Westchester Estates

Gulf Beaches:

• Belleair Beach
• Belleair Shore
• Indian Rocks Beach
• Indian Shores
• Madeira Beach
• North Redington Beach
• Redington Beach
• Redington Shores
• Sand Key
• Tierra Verde
• Treasure Island

Yes, you can view the sample form here.