Reclaimed Water

What is reclaimed water?

Reclaimed water is an alternative solution to providing irrigation to our customers without using groundwater.

What are the benefits of Reclaimed Water?

Conservation
Saves you money from the current rates
Can be utilized during drought conditions

Yes! The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has determined that reclaimed water poses no threat to public health and that it can be safely used for irrigation purposes. Reclaimed water must meet strict standards established and regulated by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Those standards require a high level of treatment, including filtration and disinfection. All required safeguards are in place to assure compliance and water quality standards and other provisions of the state regulation. Although it is highly treated and tested, reclaimed water is not suitable for potable (drinking) water purposes.

Where is reclaimed water available?

See the map below to determine if reclaimed water is available to you.

Reclaimed Water Availability (PDF)

What are the reclaimed water fees?

Residential reclaimed water will be $1.50 per 1,000 gallons used with no minimum charge.

Commercial reclaimed water will be $1.50 per 1,000 gallons for the first 20,000 gallons. $1.75 per 1,000 gallons for 20,001 to 40,000 gallons. $2.00 per 1,000 gallons for 40,001 to 80,000 gallons. $2.50 per 1,000 gallons over 80,001 gallons.

If you use the reclaimed water for irrigation, you will not have to pay the current Surface Water Fee. This only applies to reclaimed water usage, not for domestic water usage.

What are the types of connections and cost of each connection?

Reclaimed Water Hose Bib Connection (Residential Only) – $50.00 Connector Fee – The District will install a separate meter with a hose bib connection in the utility easement. This meter will be read every two months and usage billed on your utility bill. The customer will have to purchase a designated water hose (marked with purple paint, purple duct tape, or purple hose) for reclaimed use only.
Irrigation System Connection
- Residential – $100.00 Irrigation Inspection Fee – The District will install a separate meter in the utility easement. This meter will be read every two months and usage billed on your utility bill. The customer will be required to paint all control valve boxes and sprinkler heads purple (or install purple caps) prior to requesting inspection. The customer will be responsible to have their sprinkler system connected to the reclaim meter. If you convert your existing irrigation system to reclaimed water, you may do the connection yourself, contract with the District’s irrigation specialist, or have your own irrigation specialist connect the system. If you use the District’s irrigation specialist, the District will obtain a quote for labor and materials to connect your system. The quote will be approved by the customer prior to starting work. The cost of the irrigation specialist services can be added to your water bill under a payment plan for a maximum of 6 billing cycles. If you consider the cost to switch your service to be too expensive, you are not obligated to connect, and a meter will not be installed.
- Commercial – See the District’s Rate Order for information or contact Stefanie Miller, Compliance and Safety Coordinator by email at Stefanie@smcmud.com or by calling the District Office at 281-367-5383 ext. 115.