Some Wesley Chapel area residents think the cost of recycled water for lawn irrigation is too expensive.
But a proposed price increase, to be considered by Pasco County commissioners this evening, is not excessive, particularly with the county utilities department advocating a three-year phase-in of the cost. More importantly, with most of the price jump attributable to meeting state environmental safety guidelines, it would be imprudent to swap minimal cost savings for a potential health risk.
Recycled water, also known as reclaimed water, is highly treated wastewater available for lawn and landscape irrigation to about 6,000 homes in about 10 of central Pasco's newer neighborhoods.
Under the proposed rates, the county's monthly charge of $6.38 would increase to $8.50 in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 and then go up $1.25 each of the following three years.
Most of the increase is to pay for mandatory inspections of valves in potable water lines to each customer's home. A DEP requirement, the valve is intended to keep reclaimed water from seeping into the fresh water system in case of a pipe break.
The county acknowledges it has been remiss in testing the valves every 24 months as required by the state. It would be wise to remedy that.
While on site, the crews also will inspect for illegal connections to hose bibs and spigots. Recycled water can only be connected to sprinkler systems. The state requires annual checks to ensure residents haven't tapped the lines improperly to siphon the recycled water for car washing or other uses. In other words, because a few cheat, all must pay for the annual inspections.
For those who believe the regulations are unnecessary, we remind them of the discord three years ago in Wesley Chapel. Then, 25,000 gallons of treated wastewater, stagnate for several years in an unused reclaimed water line, flowed to the irrigation systems of the Meadow Pointe, Northwood and the Lakes of Northwood communities.
Residents complained of a sewage-like stench, others reported health problems even though the water wasn't ingested and some criticized the county for not providing prompt, door-to-door warnings to homeowners. The county ended up budgeting $80,000 to pay for repairs to domestic sprinkler systems clogged by the wastewater.
Though the potable water valves aren't intended to address a problem of that magnitude, they are required to cut potential exposure to the recycled water.
Now is not the time to be miserly. The proposed recycled water rate for the coming year equates to a 7-cents-per-day increase. Pennies a day is a reasonable price for easing environmental concerns.
