Edgewater officials are considering a permanent ban on turning treated wastewater into drinking water, a move drawing mixed reactions from residents ahead of a council vote and a possible 2026 ballot decision. – It’s a topic that can make people uncomfortable: drinking water that started in your toilet.
It may sound hard to swallow, but it’s a real possibility one Central Florida city is now talking about taking off the table. Edgewater leaders are considering a ban on so-called “toilet-to-tap,” and residents are split.
Do you think this should be a part of your drinking water? City leaders in Edgewater will be considering a ban to stop that from ever happening. We spoke with some residents about ‘toilet-to-tap’ water—and whether they think the option should be banned forever or remain a possibility.
“It’s called ‘toilet-to-tap,’ and while there are no plans right now, it could be part of Edgewater’s future. We’re talking about treated blackwater—yes, water that starts in your toilet—being cleaned and potentially turned into drinking water.”
For some, like Edgewater resident Jim Towers, that’s a hard no. Jim Towers. “When you hear about toilet-to-tap water, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? I don’t like it.” He added, “It’s kind of crazy. I don’t know why anyone would do that.”
But other residents, like Jon Foulds, don’t see the problem. Jon Foulds: “If it’s safe, effective, and doesn’t taste bad, then I don’t understand why not.”
Under Florida law, the city has to stop sending treated wastewater into lakes, rivers, or other surface waters by 2032—unless there’s a real benefit to doing so.” That means the city will have to use it somewhere else.
Edgewater is now considering a proposal that would permanently ban using—specifically—toilet water as drinking water. If they ban it, the city will have to look at more expensive solutions.
Towers said, “That’s fine to me—because you don’t want people to get sick.” Foulds said using some for drinking water wouldn’t hurt: “Water is a precious commodity, like everything else. Gas is almost six bucks a gallon, so you can’t really be choosy.”
Daytona Beach passed a similar measure last month, and Volusia County commissioners rejected two ban proposals in February. City leaders in Edgewater are set to discuss on the ban Monday.
Since it’s a charter change—it doesn’t just stop at City Council. Voters would get the final say in November 2026.