Reclaimed Water - A Valuable Commodity

For Reclaimed Water Service call (321) 868-3317

Cocoa Beach residents can make lawns beautiful by using reclaimed water for irrigation.  Using reclaimed water imposes less demands on potable and ground water and creates a positive recharge to the aquifer. Studies show that customers on reuse save approximately 2,000 gallons of potable water per month after connecting to the City's Reclaimed Water System.

The City of Cocoa Beach operates the largest reclaimed water system in Brevard County.  Reclaimed water is the treated by-product of the wastewater treatment plant and is returned to residents and businesses in the irrigation system that provides sprinkler water throughout the City and adjacent areas. This system enables us to provide an economical means to maintain lawns, plants, trees and other foliage, eliminates discharges into the fragile Indian River Lagoon and helps reduce the dependence on the precious aquifer-based water resources. The reclaimed water itself meets all Department of Environmental Protection quality standards and is rich in nutrients. The redistribution the water byproduct is the most environmentally effective disposal of the water and provides homeowners with a highly cost-effective alternative for lawn and foliage irrigation.   

Frequently Asked Questions

Who sets the rules of the Reclaimed Water System?

Per the City Code, the City Manager promulgates procedures and regulations with respect to the matters dealing with the Reclaimed Water System; these procedures are then adopted by the City Commission. Such procedures and regulations include:  Requirements for Application procedures and requirements and installation and permit, enforcement, expansion and use of the Reclaimed Water System, procedures to insure that all wells located on properties receiving reuse water will be completely disconnected from irrigation systems on the property. 

City Staff can establish the following:

1. The time(s) of day or night and the number of days per week during which the reclaimed water may be used by customers. For Usage information call the Reuse Hotline at (321) 868-3227.

2. The maximum number and type of uses of the reclaimed water.

What are the hook-up device specifications?

Cross-connection of the Reclaimed Reuse Water with other sources of water or use for potable purposes is prohibited. Reuse water cannot enter a residence, building or within a dwelling unit.  Devices or systems which are connected to or which controls a device or system connected to the city's reclaimed water system must be in compliance with the City Code and the United States Environmental Protection Agency manual: Guidelines for Water Reuse and the Water Supply Division, Cross-Connection Control Manual, and the American Water Works Association M-14 Manual, Latest Editions. Costs to discontinue devices that are illegally connected to the City's system constitute a lien against the property.

Device(s) and installation. The minimum required type of device for backflow installation upon the residential premises to protect the potable water supply where reclaimed water is to be used, shall not be less than a double check valve being in-line, repairable, and testable having replaceable seats. Installation shall require testing of the device at time of installation by a certified/licensed tester and shall be tested annually. Vacuum breakers shall be installed on all outside potable water faucets to prevent back siphonage. All installations shall comply with requirements set by the City Code.

What is the customer responsibility?

Home owner/change of ownership. Where reuse is in use or available on the premises, notification of any change of ownership or control of the property shall be given to the city utilities billing department, building department, and to the water reclamation facility or designee(s) as to the change. Failure to do so will result in discontinuance of service.

In-ground irrigation and prohibited attachments. All irrigation systems shall be permanently installed and consist of low trajectory water droplet spray heads or underground irrigation of in-ground irrigation design. Hose connections and faucets are prohibited on the reclaimed water system.

Owners reuse control. A hand control valve must be installed and accessible on the users side of the city curb stop service line, and adjacent thereto.

Unauthorized work prohibited. No person, unless expressly authorized by the director of utilities or designee, shall tamper with, work on, or in any way alter or damage any city reclaimed water facility. Tampering or work shall include, but is not limited to, opening or closing of city valves, or causing of any water to flow from the system. No unauthorized person shall cut into or make any connection with the system. The offending person(s) or property owner(s) shall be liable for the cost of all charges attributable to the correcting of such tampering, including legal expenses, but payments of or correcting of such damage shall not relieve the offending person from civil penalties the city or a court may impose for a violation of city ordinance.

Maintenance required. The owner or controller of the property must properly maintain the reclaimed water system and backflow prevention devices upon the premises. This specifically includes adjustment of heads to avoid excessive overspray onto streets, public sidewalks, canals, swimming pools, hot tubs or wading pools. Also included is maintenance of pipes and valves so as not to cause damage to city streets or utilities. Failure to keep the system in repairs shall result in discontinuance of service.

What are the City's rights?

The City had the right to ensure that procedures for hook-up and use of the Reclaimed Water System are observed. The city reserves the right and privilege of inspecting, removing, and/or securing any or all devices which include but are not limited to the following: back flow preventers, valves, fittings, pipes, sprinklers, etc., installed by the customer which connect to or control the reclaimed water.

1. Inspections without cause to believe that an ordinance or regulation is being violated shall be at reasonable times and shall not exceed a reasonable frequency.

2. Inspections where there is a reasonable cause to believe that an ordinance or regulation is being violated shall be at such times and shall occur with such frequency as is necessary to establish that an ordinance or regulation is or is not being violated.

Customers of the Reclaimed Water shall, by application, give prior written consent to enter upon the premises, and thereby waives any other written notice for such inspection. Failure of the City to obtain such a written waiver shall not affect the rights of the City.

What are the conditions for use?

Each customer of reclaimed water shall not have any recourse against the city for the loss of reclaimed water supply due to main distribution system down times, or for damage to vegetation or any other damages occasioned by use of the reclaimed water.

Applicants for reclaimed water service will be provided with a descriptive brochure regarding public safety and reclaimed water use. The city provides public briefings in order to inform the public regarding the acceptable use of the reclaimed water non-potable supply.

Visitors since July 1, 2003