You are familiar with potable water – the kind you drink, cook and clean your house with. What you may not know is that there are two kinds of water that are distributed in Raleigh, Zebulon, and Wake Forest.
The other kind is reuse water, sometimes called reclaimed water. It is environmentally friendly based non-potable water that can be used for irrigation, cooling tower makeup water, toilet flushing, and process cooling water. Customers using reuse water from the City of Raleigh’s reuse distribution system include the Carolina Mudcats’ Five County Stadium and industries in Zebulon, and the Walnut Creek Amphitheater, Walnut Creek Softball Complex, and Wake Med Hospital, all in Raleigh. Several area golf courses also use reuse water for irrigation.
Reuse water is treated thoroughly at wastewater treatment facilities and then distributed for non-drinking purposes. Reuse water will also be made available for residential irrigation as the distribution piping network is expanded over time.
“Many businesses throughout the area utilize reuse water. Essentially, it is another form of recycling,” said Robert Massengill, director of the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department. “Utilizing reuse water positively impacts our local environment by helping to maximize and sustain our water system. Seasonal droughts can deplete valuable, potable water resources. During these times, using reuse water reduces the amount of water needed from potable supplies. Additionally, using reuse water reduces the nitrogen discharge in streams and rivers from wastewater treatment plants.”
The Public Utilities Department is making bulk reuse water available to residents and commercial customers who complete a certification training class offered by the department. To schedule a certification training class or to learn more about the City of Raleigh’s reuse water program, contact Marla Dalton in the Public Utilities Department at 919-996-3672 or marla.dalton@raleighnc.gov. For more information on reuse water, you can also visit www.raleighnc.gov and search “reuse water.”
The Public Utilities Department operates four locations where residents and commercial customers can pick up bulk reuse water after they have completed a certification training class. The locations are:
• Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility in southeast Raleigh
• E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant in north Raleigh
• Little Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Zebulon
• Smith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Wake Forest
“Bulk reuse water can be used for irrigation, hydro-seeding, pesticide and herbicide application, concrete production, power/pressure washing and dust control,” Mr. Massengill said. “The City offers bulk reuse water free of charge. We only require customers to complete reuse water certification training prior to picking up or using the reuse water.”
