RECLAIMED WATER
THINK PURPLE!
Reclaimed water is a safe, environmentally-friendly way to conserve drinking water.
What is it?
Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater – normally recycled back into creeks,
streams and lakes – that is instead made
available for irrigation purposes. Reclaimed water is cleaner than the water
usually flowing in waterways. While not
suitable for drinking, it is a safe, less
expensive alternative for meeting many
irrigation needs.
A fairly recent concept in North Carolina,
reclaimed water already is an important
water resource for many communities
across the U.S. and abroad. Thousands of
communities in at least 27 states currently
operate active, well-run and regulated reclaimed water programs. Some of the
busiest states include Florida, California,
Arizona, Washington and Texas. The universal color code for reclaimed water –
which you’ll see painted on pipes and other
reclaimed water equipment – is purple.
In 1998, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Utilities Mallard Creek Water Reclamation
Facility began sending this county’s first
reclaimed water to The Tradition Golf
Course and Mallard Creek Park. After a
hiatus for several years to widen a nearby
highway and make treatment plant improvements, Utilities renewed reclaimed
water operations at the Mallard Plant in
2007. Reclaimed water projects are also
under development for areas near the
McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment
Plant in northwestern Mecklenburg County.
Why use it?
During the warm-weather months – when
water use is at its highest – about onethird of all water usage is for outdoor irrigation. Reclaimed water can:
■ Protect fresh, treated drinking water for
essential uses, such as drinking, cooking
and bathing
■ Extend the time before future water
pumping, treatment and distribution
facilities are needed
■ Provide a beneficial use for a quality
product
Typical uses for reclaimed water
Most commonly, reclaimed water is used
for:
■ Irrigating lawns and landscaping
■ Operating fountains or decorative pools
■ Some industrial uses, such as chillers or
fire protection
Is it safe? YES – but it’s not for drinking
Used for its intended purpose, reclaimed
water is safe for humans and animals.
The State of North Carolina has strict
regulations regarding the use of and water
quality standards for reclaimed water. High
water quality standards and sophisticated
controls ensure safety during the wastewater treatment process.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities continuously monitors the quality of reclaimed
water to ensure public health and safety.
Reclaimed water is for irrigation use only.
DO NOT drink any reclaimed water.
Our goals for Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s
reclaimed water program are to effectively
recycle a precious natural resource, conserve drinking water, protect public health
and educate our community about the
benefits of reclaimed water.
For more information on reclaimed water in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, dial 311 or 704-336-7600, or
visit us at www.cmutilities.com.
RECLAIMED WATER
Frequently Asked Questions
What is reclaimed or reuse water?
Does it smell funny?
Reuse water is recycled water. It is highly
treated wastewater that is put to beneficial
use, usually lawn irrigation, rather than
returning it to the streams and creeks to
make its way to the Catawba River. Reuse
water provides a smart alternative to using
valuable drinking water for some needs
that do not require water to be treated to
drinking water standards.
It does not smell or look different from
drinking water.
How will it affect people if it gets on the
skin?
What is the community benefit of using reuse
water for irrigation?
There will be no negative effects. However,
if you are sensitive to chlorine, which is
added to reuse water, you may want to
rinse off.
Reuse water helps reduce demands for
potable drinking water, especially during
high-demand summer months.
Can people drink reuse water?
No. While it is appropriate for irrigation
and some industrial uses, it does not meet
North Carolina’s high standards for drinking water.
What should we do if our pets accidently
swallow some of it?
Nothing. There will be no negative health
implications for your pets or wildlife.
Can I get reuse water to irrigate my lawn?
No. The law requires a separate distribution system for reuse water that limits our
ability to transport reuse water across the
county. Currently, Utilities is currently only
providing reuse water to large city- or
county-owned properties located near a
wastewater treatment plant.
Is it safe for people to walk on areas where
reuse water has been sprayed?
Incidental contact with reuse water is not
harmful. Normal hygiene practices are
recommended.
For more information on reclaimed water in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, dial 311 or 704-336-7600, or
visit us at www.cmutilities.com.