Applicable Rules for Reuse Projects

Florida Administrative Code

Chapter 62-610, F.A.C. - This chapter is titled "Reuse of Reclaimed Water and Land Application." These rules govern reuse and land application in Florida. Rule 62-610.810, F.A.C., distinguishes reuse projects from effluent disposal.

Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., was revised and refined in 1989, 1990 and 1996 to include and address issues such as irrigation of edible crops and other public access areas, industrial uses of reclaimed water, and other urban uses.

At times, the demand for reclaimed water for irrigation purposes may be reduced due to wet weather conditions. During these times, facilities may need to dispose of unneeded reclaimed water. Provisions for limited wet weather discharges for reuse systems are contained in Rule 62-610.860, F.A.C. Under restricted conditions, DEP can permit wet weather discharges with minimal water quality review.

Chapter 62-600, F.A.C. - This chapter, titled "Domestic Wastewater Facilities," contains requirements for construction, operation and permitting of domestic wastewater treatment facilities. Treatment and disinfection requirements for reuse of reclaimed water are established in Rules 62-600.530 and 62-600.440, F.A.C. Domestic wastewater must meet, at a minimum, a treatment standard of secondary treatment, basic disinfection and pH control in order to be reused as reclaimed water.

Note: Florida’s high-level disinfection criteria, which are integral to the state’s reuse rules, were derived as a result of experimental work done by the State Virologist, Flora Mae Wellings, in the early 1980s.

Chapter 62-40, F.A.C. - This chapter, titled "Water Implementation Rule," formerly known as the "Water Policy Rule," presents the overall state water policy, provides guidance for issuing consumptive use permits, establishes requirements for domestic wastewater treatment facilities, and creates a mandatory reuse program.

For information regarding back-up discharges to reuse, please see the webpage on The Florida APRICOT Act of 1994.

Water Management District Rules

Each water management district has developed its own series of rules designed to implement programs authorized by Chapter 373, F.S., and by Chapter 62-40, F.A.C. The districts’ rules are contained in the following series within Title 40 of the F.A.C.

• 40A – Northwest Florida Water Management District
• 40B – Suwannee River Water Management District
• 40C – St. Johns River Water Management District
• 40D – Southwest Florida River Water Management District
• 40E – South Florida Water Management District

A uniform series of chapter numbers is used by all five districts. General, procedural and organizational rules are in Chapter 1. Discussion of consumptive use permitting is contained in Chapter 2. (i.e., South Florida Water Management District’s rule dealing with water resource caution area designation is found in Chapter 40E-23, F.A.C.) The requirement of reuse of reclaimed water in and outside of water resource caution areas is also discussed within these rules.