Reuse

Spanish

Reuse, reclaimed water or treated effluent are common terms for a viable and increasingly popular irrigation source. Demands driven by population growth and climate variation are causing water and wastewater utilities to consider this often untapped resource for meeting future water demand projections. A major reuse benefit is its reduced cost when compared to treated drinking water. Reuse also has no seasonal restrictions and it can delay future water treatment plant expansions. 

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is in Region C of the Texas Water Development Board's regional plans. It is anticipated that by 2060, conservation and reuse will provide about 26% of the regions water supply. 

To encourage the development of water reuse, the Texas Water Development Board has funded 50% of Fort Worth's Reclaimed Water Priority and Implementation Plan.  In this plan, the Water Department has worked with potential customers to quantify potential reclaimed water usage. This information was used to develop conceptual "distribution system" including reclaimed water transmission mains, pump stations and storage tanks. This conceptual reclaimed water system would provide approximately 12 million gallons per day based on existing customer demands and would be constructed over time. This will allow the department to use low interest state revolving fund loans, state and federal grants, as well customer capital contributions.  The current plan is to construct a reclaimed water network of pipelines in far north and far east Fort Worth in the next three to four years. 

For more information on reuse, please contact us at 817.392.4479. 

Public Meeting

A public meeting to present the findings contained in the draft report took place Thursday, March 29 at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. The final report was provided to the Texas Water Development Board in April 2007.