County advises reclaimed water users to turn off systems

The county is advising users of reclaimed water to turn off their systems.

The Utilities Department said in a press release that electronic solenoids in the pop ups could burn out and the parts could cost a lot to repair.

The county said it is trying to bring the quality of reclaimed water from the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant back to environmental quality standards before usage can resume. Due to environmental issues while the plant was under repair, it was necessary to repeat the normal treatment procedures more times than was originally anticipated. The county said the Utilities Department will inform the public when the situation is resolved.

The reclaimed water service was discontinued for residents west of 63rd Avenue East and 33rd Street East in west and northwest Bradenton. The Southwest Facility is the largest of the three county wastewater treatment plants and having it off-line may limit reclaimed water availability in other areas of the county.

All reclaimed users should continue to limit usage to the absolute minimum, the county said. It is typical for plants and grass to enter into a more dormant stage, requiring less water, at this time of the year, so once a week watering is sufficient. Residents with non-reclaimed services have been limited to a once-a-week watering schedule since early 2007.