City of Largo, Florida

One of the greatest challenges facing Florida communities is providing enough fresh drinking water for our growing population. While water sources across the state are in short supply, coastal communities are particularly affected, because their supplies are more vulnerable to contamination and salt water intrusion. Recent studies have shown that up to 50% of our valuable drinking water is used for outdoor purposes, primarily for watering lawns.

In response to this critical need, Largo and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) have teamed to fund a system to distribute treated wastewater to households and businesses for the purpose of watering lawns and commercial properties such as golf courses. This "reclaimed" water provides a variety of benefits to the Largo community. In particular, the reclaimed water system:

• Helps conserve the Florida Aquifer, our primary source of drinking water;
• Saves users money by reducing the cost associated with using potable water, or the expense of operating and maintaining a well;
• Reduces the need to fertilize as often, due to the nutrient content of reclaimed water;
• Frees homeowners from some watering restrictions during periods of drought; and
• Does not create iron stains on homes, driveways, walls, sidewalks or patios.

Because of the cost of expansion, the City of Largo measures the community's desire for reclaimed water, the proximity to current distribution systems and the estimated cost of installing lines before making decisions regarding reclaimed water system expansion.