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Catch It While You Can
Conserve and profit with reclaimed water.
Purple pipes identify reclaimed water transmission.
Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS
About 60% of Florida’s fresh water supply comes from wells (Marella, 2004), and the demand for this resource continues to increase. Inadequate amount and distribution of rainfall, along with population growth, have resulted in the need for water conservation. Irrigation water used by commercial nurseries in most areas of Florida is restricted in quantity and, in some regions, the time periods during which it can be applied. Alternative water sources, such as reclaimed water, offer some relief from the limitations of inadequate water resources. In some locales, reclaimed water might be the only water source available for irrigation.
In Florida, the operation of a reclaimed water facility for processing sewage is outlined in Chapter 62-600 F.A.C. (Florida Administrative Code, 1996). Part III of Chapter 62-610 F.A.C. 2007 outlines the criteria that result in high-quality reclaimed water for land application. In addition to filtration, reclaimed water processed, according to guidelines for Part III, must have a high level of disinfection so it can be used in public areas.
Results From Evaluations
‘Plum’ and ‘Ruby’ loropetalum exhibited a slight reduction in growth (shoot dry weight) when grown with reclaimed water compared to municipal tap water. However, it should be noted that without a municipal tap water control for comparison, it is unlikely one could discern this slight reduction in growth in a production nursery because growth indexes (height and spreads) of these loropetalum cultivars were similar.
All other plants grown with reclaimed water had similar or larger shoot growth (dry weights) than controls irrigated with municipal or deionized water. Root growth (dry weights) was measured for ‘Helleri’ and Yaupon holly and found to be similar when plants were irrigated with municipal or reclaimed water. Catharanthus root growth (dry weight) increased and salvia root growth (dry weight) decreased when irrigation water contained increased percentages (0 to 100%) of reclaimed water. The reason for the decrease was not evident.
How To Get Reclaimed Water
reuse/inventory.htm). For container plant production, obtain the highest quality water with high-level disinfection as achieved under the guidelines for Part III in Chapter 62-610 F.A.C.
Reclaimed water supply pipes entering the nursery may be connected to the existing nursery water distribution system for overhead sprinkler irrigation and microirrigation or be connected to pipes that deposit water into reservoirs or other storage structures. Check with Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Water Management Districts to inquire about permits that might be needed for reservoirs. Cross-connection prevention must be in place if reclaimed water supply pipes connect to nursery pipes that could allow backflow or intermingling of reclaimed and potable water. It is preferable to pressurize the existing piping system in the nursery by pumping reclaimed water from a storage structure or reservoir. In this manner, comparable pressure can be achieved with reclaimed and non-reclaimed irrigation applications. Otherwise, pressure-relief valves or pressure regulation (e.g. a booster pump) may be needed. Reclaimed water needs filtration (as does non-reclaimed water) if used for microirrigation.
Procedures And Cautions
Contractual Considerations
• Description of property and irrigation system
• Water costs, connection fees, rebates, tax incentives
• Water supply exceeds or is less than contracted quantity
• Water quality and pressure specifications and consistency
• Availability of nutrient compositional analyses from supplier
• Plant aberrances resulting from water quality
• Nursery access to processing facility personnel or easements
• Cross-connection prevention
• Duration of contract and provision for exchange of ownership
• Transfer of water delivery to another property or change in land use
• Change in suppliers or contractor
The authors would like to acknowledge funding from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
References:
Marella, R. L. 2004. Water Withdrawals, Use, Discharge, And Trends In Florida, 2000. United States Geological Survey, SIR 2004-5151.
Yeager, T. 2007. Water Quality/Quantity Best Management Practices For Florida Container Nurseries. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL.
Tom Yeager is a professor, Claudia Larsen, a senior biological scientist, and Joe von Merveldt, a graduate student in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gainesville, FL.
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