What You Need to Know about Irrigating with Reclaimed Water
The adoption of water recycling is gaining momentum nationwide as communities recognize its potential for securing safe and dependable water supplies. This trend has far-reaching benefits, including promoting healthier environments, thriving economies, and improved quality of life. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Bluefield Research reveals that recycled water production in the United States is projected to rise significantly, with an estimated 37% increase from 4.8 billion gallons per day to 6.6 billion gallons per day by 2027. Such promising statistics underscore the positive impact of water reuse on our overall water management strategies.
With more and more communities and businesses incorporating water recycling into their operations, there are more opportunities for developers to make utilizing recycled water easier. That’s where Rain Bird comes in. Rain Bird continues to enhance its irrigation system components to optimize their use with reclaimed or recycled water. This exciting development enables you to efficiently irrigate using water that was once discarded. Read on to explore the advantages and obstacles associated with reclaimed water usage and discover how to successfully implement it in your home or business.
What Is Reclaimed Water?
Reclaimed water refers to treated wastewater that has undergone a rigorous purification process, making it suitable for various non-potable uses such as irrigation, industrial processes, and groundwater replenishment. Advanced treatment technologies remove contaminants and impurities, ensuring the reclaimed water meets specific quality standards for its intended applications. This environmentally sustainable approach allows for the efficient and responsible reuse of water resources, reducing strain on freshwater supplies and providing an alternative water source for non-drinking purposes. Reclaimed water plays a vital role in promoting water conservation, enhancing water availability, and supporting sustainable development practices.
Simply put, recycled or reclaimed water is used water that has been cleaned to be used again. While the process does not make the water suitable for drinking, it can be used for irrigation, industrial cooling, street sweeping, and more. Reclaimed water is heavily regulated to ensure that it is used safely and efficiently.
Who Can Utilize Reclaimed Water?
The process of cleaning used water and putting it back into use is regulated by local and state governments. It is not potable, and therefore proper steps must be taken to ensure that there is no cross-contamination between drinking water and reclaimed water that can be used for flushing toilets, irrigation systems, and other similar uses. There are also location restrictions as the reclaimed water cannot be piped everywhere. Your home or business must be located within a certain distance of the existing water mains.
Collecting Rainwater
If reclaimed water isn’t available in your area, don’t worry. There are other options for reducing your freshwater use, including collecting rainwater.
Collecting rainwater is an excellent way to reduce the amount of freshwater your home or business uses. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an average American family consumes more than 300 gallons of water, with 30% dedicated to outdoor activities. Among these outdoor uses, watering lawns and gardens account for over half of the water consumption. Nationally, landscape irrigation alone represents nearly one-third of residential water usage, totaling a staggering volume of almost 9 billion gallons each day. And while certain water methods like drip irrigation can lessen your water use by 80%, collecting rainwater for irrigation and cleaning can also help reduce the amount of freshwater used significantly.
Is It Illegal to Collect Rainwater in the US?
Despite its benefits, a few outdated laws do prohibit collecting rainwater. In Colorado, for example, collecting rainwater is technically illegal. However, residents can collect water in two rain barrels not exceeding 110 gallons. Hopefully, these antiquated laws will soon be updated to allow this practice in these areas as well.
In the rest of the country, certain rules and regulations apply to collecting. The practice is certainly encouraged, but you must follow the rules and laws to comply with your area’s government. Some areas require permits for rainwater collection, many regulate the type of containers that can be used, and some require certain filtration systems.
Using Reclaimed Water for Irrigation
With a little knowledge, your apprehensions about using reclaimed water are hopefully appeased. It’s better for the environment and it’s better for your budget. Now comes the easy part. Rain Bird has been a prominent supporter of The Intelligent Use of Water™ for more than 80 years. As water conservation gains significance, we are at the forefront of reclaimed water usage. Our end-to-end solutions help us maximize every drop.
Are There Any Challenges with Using Reclaimed Water?
Outside of the laws and regulations in place that were mentioned above, there are a few other challenges associated with reclaimed water use, especially in regard to irrigation.
- The process of reclaiming water leads to an elevation in its salinity (salt) levels, which can pose risks to the soil, fauna, and irrigation equipment. By carefully choosing appropriate plant species and implementing efficient irrigation practices, it is possible to mitigate the impact of elevated salt levels and minimize any associated challenges.
- Chlorine is often used to disinfect reclaimed water but can also cause irrigation system components to deteriorate faster. Microbes and other solids that remain after treatment can also contribute to this breakdown. Plumbing made of proper materials and equipment suitable for reclaimed water can lessen the effects on your irrigation system.
Rain Bird products are designed to withstand the harsh chemicals commonly found in recycled water. The benefits certainly outweigh the risks when it comes to using reclaimed water.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Rain Bird.
Everyone should want to do their part to protect the environment. Whether that means you recycle your aluminum cans or you start collecting compost or you place your hose on a timer to conserve water, every little bit helps. By responsibly reusing water resources, we can conserve freshwater supplies, enhance water availability, and foster sustainable development practices. While certain challenges are associated with reclaimed water use, such as salinity levels and chlorine effects, Rain Bird's innovative products are designed to withstand the demands of recycled water, making the benefits far outweigh any potential risks. Together, we can maximize every drop and contribute to a more sustainable future.
When you’re ready to design the perfect reclaimed water irrigation system for your home or business, contact Rain Bird. Our design service can help you bring your irrigation dreams to reality.
