Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department - (615) 848-3209
Repurified Water
GENERAL INFORMATION
What is Repurified Water?
Murfreesboro’s Repurified Water is the final product of a multiple-stage advanced treatment process that cleans and disinfects domestic wastewater. Much like potable water, chlorine is then added to produce a residual which helps to maintain its freshness. The Repurified Water is then stored in an elevated storage tank and distributed through a separate system of special water mains. Although the repurified water produced by Murfreesboro meets most federal and state water quality standards for potable (drinking) water, and is safe for human contact, it is not intended for use as drinking water.
Does repurified water smell or look differently than regular potable water?
No. It is generally indistinguishable from potable water.
Why use repurified water?
Using repurified water conserves drinking water. Given a sustainable dry weather yield of five million gallons per day from the Walter Hill Reservoir and a Corps of Engineers cap of eighteen million gallons per day withdrawal from J. Percy Priest Lake, it is clear that the City of Murfreesboro has a finite quantity of available water resources for potable water production. Managing this resource wisely saves our rate payers the expense of developing distant sources of supply, and of building and operating larger facilities than would otherwise be required. During periods of drought, the use of potable water for irrigation may be curtailed. Because high quality repurified water is already available, it can be supplied to many areas at substantially lower cost to the consumer than drinking water. Thus it makes good economic sense to use it wherever possible to meet irrigation, commercial and industrial needs.
When did the repurified water program begin in Murfreesboro, and how extensive is it?
The Department became active in pursuing the use of repurified water when completion of advanced treatment units at the treatment plant made this resource available. Since that time, distribution lines have been extended to the Old Fort Golf Course, the Medical Center Parkway, and the new City soccer complex. Work is in progress to extend the lines to two large agricultural areas. In addition, an elevated storage tank has been constructed which will facilitate the operation of the system. MWSD is committed to the development and utilization of this resource.
How can a residential homeowner use repurified water?
The State of Tennessee has not yet promulgated regulations for the classification or use of repurified water. Until that happens, Murfreesboro will take the most conservative stance on its use. Its primary use is for irrigation of lawns, water flowers, trees, and shrubs.
Does the water that gets onto the sidewalk and into the street as a result of irrigation create a problem?
Regulations require that all sprinkler systems be designed and adjusted to limit overspray onto paved surfaces. State storm water regulations do not allow any discharge other than rainwater through the storm drains.
Can repurified water be used to wash houses and decks?
Yes, as long as the water does not discharge directly into a storm drain.
Can repurified water be used to wash cars?
The repurified water is not softened, and spotting from dissolved minerals may result if droplets of repurified water are allowed to dry on the vehicle. While there are no harmful effects, washing automobiles with repurified water is not an approved use.
Can repurified water be used to make concrete or clean lawn tools?
Yes, as long as the water does not discharge directly into a storm drain.
Can repurified water be used to prepare and apply pesticides?
Yes, as long as the pesticide is not applied to edible vegetables.
How will repurified water affect people if they get it on their clothing, skin, in their eyes, or accidentally swallow some of it?
Because it is highly treated and disinfected, repurified water will not cause any negative effects. However, it does contain chlorine. If you are sensitive to chlorine, you may wish to rinse out your eyes with eye drops. Clothing that has been in contact with repurified water should be washed as you normally would.
Can repurified water be used to fill swimming pools?
No. Repurified water should not be used to fill swimming pools, wading pools, spas, or children’s play sprinklers, water slides or water toys.
What if repurified water from sprinklers drifts into a pool/hot tub?
Sprinklers should be adjusted to prevent overspray. However, no action is required for incidental overspray.
Can children play in repurified water?
No. Although repurified water is highly treated, it does not meet our most stringent standards for potable water.
Can repurified water be used to wash driveways?
Yes, but only if this can be done in such a way that the runoff does not discharge directly into a storm drain. State storm water regulations do not allow any discharge other than rainwater through the storm drains.
Is it safe to go into areas where repurified water is used?
Yes. Incidental contact with water of this quality is not harmful. People have been playing golf for over ten years at the Legends course in Franklin,Tennessee without ill effects. Simply practice good hygiene and wash with soap and water from a potable faucet if you come into contact with repurified water.
Can I use repurified water to wash or water livestock or pets?
No. Although livestock and dogs often drink water from unsanitary pools and puddles without apparent ill effects, this is not an approved use.
What if my pet drinks the repurified water while I’m watering the lawn?
Although repurified water is not intended for consumption, the water has been filtered and disinfected. Animals should not be affected by occasional ingestion of repurified water.
Once a container has been used for repurified water, should it be used for any other purpose?
Containers that have been used for repurified water should not afterwards be used to store drinking water.
What are the restrictions governing the use of repurified water?
Because repurified water is not intended for unlimited uses, certain restrictions apply. Before being connected to the repurified water distribution system, a consumer must file an application for service and sign a service agreement to insure that the customer understands and agrees to comply with the applicable rules.
When is the use of repurified water required?
Whenever repurified water distribution lines are available, any new irrigation system must utilize repurified water in lieu of potable water. The Murfreesboro Gateway and certain industrial and commercial applications may be required to use repurified water in lieu of potable water.
How was the repurified water service area decided?
The priority for repurified water service is based first upon the quantity of water used for irrigation. MWSD expects to expand the service area as the demand grows.
Are there plans to serve the entire City?
No. Installation of the infrastructure necessary to distribute repurified water would be too disruptive to many areas of the City.
There has been much discussion of the disposal of repurified water on dedicated farms. Why is this disposal necessary, and why isn’t the water simply put back into the river?
The State of Tennessee has taken the most conservative approach possible in its regulation of the West Fork Stones River. In so doing, the State has imposed restrictions for the discharge of repurified water that are more stringent than the restrictions for potable water. The repurified water does contain minute amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, which in sufficient quantities can act as nutrients that promote algae growth. The State takes the position that the total quantities of these materials discharged to the river must be restricted even during wet weather when the river is at a high flow level. During wet weather, the flow to the treatment plant may double. It is during these periods that the total quantity of nutrients in the repurified water may exceed the State limits, even though the concentration may be even lower than average due to dilution.
Since repurified water contains some nutrients, will it help the lawn and plants?
No. The amount of nutrients in repurified water produced by MWSD is far too small.
A few years back, the City spread sludge on a lot of farms in the area. How does this differ from the proposed irrigation?
Repurified water is a totally different product. There are no solids or odors associated with the repurified water.
The process that produced the land applied sludge has been replaced by one that generates a different type of solids that are dewatered and disposed of in the landfill.
How does the quality of the repurified water measure up to the Tennessee State standards for drinking water?
Since the new treatment plant began operation, both the total nitrogen and the total phosphorus contents have averaged less than 3 parts per million (ppm). The potable water limit for nitrate nitrogen, one of the components of the total nitrogen, is 10 ppm. There is no established limit for phosphorus in potable water. By comparison, the levels of these constituents in the drinking water typically averages less than 1 ppm, or about one third of that found in Murfreesboro’s repurified water.
Who is responsible for making certain the Murfreesboro’s repurified water is safe?
There are several measures in place to insure the safety of Murfreesboro’s repurified water.
First, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) provides oversight of all aspects of water quality. Although TDEC has not yet published statewide guidelines for the use of repurified water, it still maintains control authority over such uses, and uses of repurified water proposed by the City of Murfreesboro must be approved by TDEC prior to implementation. In addition, all of the water produced at the treatment plant must meet strict TDEC standards for water quality, in accordance with established Federal statues.
Ordinances enacted by the Murfreesboro City Council and policies adopted by the Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Board provide a second level of control by restricting the usage of repurified water to uses which have a proven record of safety in other states.
Finally, the quality of the repurified water is controlled by careful and expert operation of the system. The system is under continuous scrutiny of trained operators who monitor the treatment processes. Routine testing of critical water quality parameters is done to provide quality assurance.
How much is repurified water going to cost, and how will the charges be made?
Because repurified water is both a product and a valuable resource, there will be a charge. The amount will be determined by the City Council, and is expected to be substantially less than the rates for potable water. Billing will be a separate line item on your regular water and sewer bill.
|
