As Miami-Dade County’s population continues to increase, so does our demand for drinking water. Like all natural resources, the Biscayne Aquifer, Miami-Dade County’s current source of drinking water, is not limitless. The use of reclaimed water in Miami-Dade County helps preserve the Biscayne Aquifer.

Reclaimed water is highly treated, filtered and disinfected wastewater that is beneficially reused. Reclaimed water can replace or supplement groundwater supplies. Common uses for reclaimed water include irrigation, wetlands restoration, aquifer recharge, vehicle washing, air conditioning cooling towers, and other industrial uses. The use of reclaimed water is often referred to as wastewater reuse.

Miami-Dade County is currently expanding its water reclamation program and is currently evaluating several water reclamation projects, including the ambitious High-Level Disinfection project and the South Dade Wastewater Treatment Plant. For more information, read the Reuse Feasbility Study Update Report.

To assess large scale use of reclaimed water, the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department is designing two pilot projects. The Aquifer Recharge Pilot Project will evaluate the treatment techniques necessary for recharging the Biscayne Aquifer through the rapid infiltration of highly treated wastewater.The Coastal Wetlands Rehydration Project will investigate the applicability of using highly treated wastewater effluent to replace the historic freshwater flows that once were discharged into the coastal wetlands of Biscayne Bay.

By using reclaimed water, the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department is working to provide a sustainable water resource for our environment and our future.

• Read the news release about the South Dade Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Watch the Miami-Dade On-Demand video about water reclamation