TITUSVILLE, Fla. – On Tuesday, reclaimed water or “tap-to-water” was discussed as a possible future alternative water-supply option.
“Right now we use fresh water for our drinking water. And in the future, we will need to look at different alternative water supplies,” said Public Works Director Sandra Reller.
She shared how the options could help with a major issue, the ongoing drought the area is facing.
“Right now, we’re in a drought. I’m sure everyone knows that. So some of these options are drought resistant,” Reller said.
Tuesday’s presentation included part of the city’s “Annual Sustainability Action Plan.”
Those alternative water supplies introduced include, turning reclaimed water into drinking water. It’s a move critics have called “toilet-to-tap.”
“It’s actually probably the cheapest and most environmentally friendly,” Reller said.
But this one... was not quite a fan favorite.
“But I would not recommend moving forward with it at this time because public perception, they don’t want it and I just don’t. It’s hard to recommend,” said Reller.
Another option would be the use of seawater or brackish water.
Brackish water is a mix of fresh and sea water.
“It’s a reliable water source and it you get superior water quality from it because it it treats issues like PFAS,”- says Reller.
PFAs is another term for “forever chemicals.”
“I think my thing would be just to how can we ensure that the water is up to good quality,” said Council Member Dr. Sarah Stoeckel.
Public Works posed to council to fund a feasibility study for brackish water. And they also proposed council re-evaluate the use of storm water, something some members say hasn’t done since the 80s and a move that would cost more than $740,000 to fund.
Both measures passed Tuesday night.