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Pinellas County Utilities addressing low reclaimed water pressure in North County

Pinellas County Utilities (PCU)’s reclaimed water supply faces challenges during times of severe drought due to strict watering schedules and increased demand on specific days, which can lead to low water pressure.

Over the last three years, demand for reclaimed water has rapidly increased. In years past, the William E. Dunn Water Reclamation Facility delivered approximately 10 million gallons of reclaimed water per day. It’s now distributing more than 16 million gallons per day across North County. This is significant because our reclaimed systems rely solely on the volume of wastewater received to produce reclaimed water. Right now, the William E. Dunn Water Reclamation Facility in Palm Harbor is only producing around six million gallons of reclaimed water per day.

Because of this, North County faces significant challenges when it comes to balancing supply and demand. Reductions in wastewater flows required for producing reclaimed water coupled with excessive overuse and overwatering by customers puts a significant strain on the system leading to low pressure experiences.

Reclaimed water restrictions are implemented to ensure equitable distribution among customers, especially during supply shortages. To address this, PCU is enforcing watering restrictions to manage usage effectively to ensure everyone has access to reclaimed water.

PCU has taken several short-term steps to address this issue, including:

  • Adding pumps into service to increase water pressure.
  • Installing air release valves throughout Palm Harbor to remove air from lines and improve pressure.
  • Increasing service line flushing and filter inspections to ensure there is no debris obstructing the lines.

Long term, we are improving off-site pump stations to allow for enhanced distributing and pressure throughout the system, adding a new pump station that will improve pressure and flow for customers on the east side of Lake Tarpon, and increasing reclaimed water supply through a managed aquifer storage and recovery system with Lake Tarpon as a water source.

While we want to assure you we are actively addressing this issue, we need everyone’s help in conserving water to alleviate the current stress on the system. There are several steps you can take to make a difference:

  • Implement outdoor water conservation and Florida-Friendly practices. Install smart irrigation sensors to turn off your water when we do get rain. Also, adding mulch to reduce evaporation when you do water your lawn can reduce the amount of water needed in your landscaping by as much as 50%.
  • Sign up for the Utilities Customer Portal: As digital meters are installed across our service area, every customer can see real-time water usage and access tools to address excessive water use and leaks in your irrigation system.

To learn more about the water conservation measures you can implement, visit pinellas.gov/water-conservation.