News

By Jane Smith

    More barrier island property owners will be able to use reclaimed water next year for their sprinkler systems.
    In April, Delray Beach contractors will begin working in the area between Casuarina Road and Poinsettia Road, a roughly .7-mile stretch. The area north of Casuarina to George Bush Boulevard is finished, with customers already receiving service.
    The $2.2 million project involves tearing up the streets to install 5,300 linear feet of 4-inch pipe, 6,000 linear feet of 6-inch pipe and 3,000 linear feet of 10-inch pipe, according to Scott Solomon, the city’s water, sewer and network manager. The project will take a year to finish.
    Property owners will be required to hook up to the system and allow workers to install separate meters for the reclaimed water, Solomon said. He estimates that up to 150 meters will be installed.
    Using reclaimed water to irrigate landscape will save the property owners money, he said. The city’s water rates have a tiered pricing structure. Solomon gave these rates: Reclaimed water costs $1 per thousand gallons for the first 25,000 gallons compared with drinkable water that costs $1.25 per thousand gallons for 4,000 to 12,000 gallons and $2 per thousand for 13,000 to 25,000 gallons. The more water used, the higher price paid per thousand gallons.
    Property owners need to use special precautions with the reclaimed water.
    “Don’t aim it at your swimming pool or use on vegetation that will be consumed,” Solomon said.