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Pasco pushes for more reclaimed water

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BY CARL ORTH

SUNCOAST NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR

Published: April 25, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Interest seemed to dry up years ago in a regional, reclaimed water network while rainfall was plentiful.

But with a stubborn drought in its third year, some Pasco County commissioners appeared eager this week to jump-start the stalled project to expand reclaimed water.
Tampa city officials seem interested in reviving the joint project, Pasco Commission Chairman Jack Mariano reported.

Many residents in the area use half of the water at their homes to irrigate lawns, Mariano noted.

That consumes millions of gallons of potable, drinking water supplies.

Reclaimed systems treat sewage to produce water good enough for irrigation.

Expansion of reclaimed water might mean Tampa Bay Water could avoid building a second desalination plant, Mariano suggested.

Another desalination plant is among Tampa Bay Water's long-range options through 2017, Gerald Seeber, Tampa Bay Water general manager, told commissioners.
Reclaimed water could be less expensive to produce rather than desal supplies for drinking water, Mariano theorized.
Tampa Bay Water relies on the existing desalination plant for about 10 percent of potable water supplies, Seeber noted.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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