The City of Tampa now offers a program that can remove the following fees* charged by the Water Department for all customers that have reclaimed water service readily available:
| Meter Size | Application Fee | Meter Installation |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4" | $15 | $375 |
| 1" | $15 | $445 |
| 1.5" | $70 | $695 |
| 2" | $70 | $890 |
Your project may need a plumbing trade permit, which may incur costs from the City of Tampa's Construction Services Division. Plumbing trade permit fees for irrigation systems are estimated to be $124 for both residential and commercial properties.
Check to see if your address is within Tampa's reclaimed water service area:
Apply for a plumbing trade permit and pay the applicable permit fees (generated by the City's Construction Services Division) to connect the irrigation system to the reclaimed water meter. Plumbing trade permit fees for irrigation systems are estimated to be $124 for both residential and commercial properties.
You have the choice of doing the work yourself as the homeowner or you can hire a licensed irrigation or plumbing contractor.
Complete a utility service application online for the reclaimed water meter, which will be installed by the City of Tampa Water Department.
Approved applicants will have one year from the date of submittal to complete all work and pass inspections to keep their reclaimed water fees (generated by the City of Tampa Water Department) waived.
Perform the work on your property of connecting the irrigation system to the reclaimed water meter. Do not connect reclaimed water lines to potable (drinking) water lines.
Schedule an inspection with the City’s Construction Services Division.
Reclaimed water is highly treated and disinfected domestic wastewater (water that goes down the drain) that gets reused primarily for watering lawns and landscapes.
Reclaimed water is produced at the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant and must meet strict water quality requirements established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Although reclaimed water meets most of the drinking water standards and is safe for human contact, it is not intended for use as drinking water.
The reclaimed water distribution system is not connected in any way to the drinking water distribution system. The City of Tampa's reclaimed water pipes and fixtures, as well as the reclaimed water meter and meter box lid at your property are purple to distinguish them from the drinking water system.
You CAN use reclaimed water for:
✅ Watering your lawn and landscapes
✅ Watering trees
✅ Watering edible crops (i.e. fruits or vegetables) that will be peeled, skinned, or cooked before being eaten
✅ Supplying a commercial water-cooled conditioning system
You CANNOT use reclaimed water for:
❌ Drinking
❌ Filling swimming pools, hot tubs, or wading pools
❌ Inside your home
❌ Connecting to your drinking water system
❌ Watering edible crops (i.e. vegetables or fruits) that WILL NOT be peeled, skinned, or cooked before being eaten*
*Reclaimed water should not come into direct contact with the edible part of the plant.
Yes. Businesses and individuals can purchase bulk quantities of reclaimed water directly from the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Port of Tampa by contacting the Wastewater Department.
If you are using your private water supply well for drinking purposes, you may no longer do so, unless the well is located at least 75 feet from the area irrigated with reclaimed water; in accordance with Section 62-610.471(1) of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)
If you use reclaimed water for your lawn or garden, watch carefully to see if you need to change your watering or fertilizer habits. Reclaimed water helps keep your grass and plants green even when water use is limited. Keep in mind, some plants might not handle reclaimed water well, while others can.
Before you plant, check the Reclaimed Water Quality Report, which is updated every three months. To find plants that will thrive, you can use the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide, which is also available as an app. It has details and pictures of over 400 plants that do well in Florida.
You can also use the state's searchable Waterwise Plant Database. It helps you find plants that will grow well in your yard because it considers the natural conditions where you live. The database offers tips on where to plant so that your plants don't need as much water.
For more information about connecting locations to the reclaimed water system, please contact Water Development Services: