Reclaimed Water System
Cary became the first city in the state to pump treated wastewater to homes and businesses for irrigation and cooling, beginning with several hundred customers in June 2001. Pipes are separate from those carrying water for drinking and uses such as bathing or washing clothes.
The reclaimed water system lessens the amount of drinking water that winds up on lawns and other landscaping. It cuts the amount of wastewater that is discharged into creeks from the Town's two treatment plants.
Reclaimed Water Holiday
Beginning on February 15, 2010, the Town of Cary will initiate its annual 10-day maintenance shutdown of all of its reclaimed water systems. Get details.
The state lets Cary divert a total of about 5 million gallons of treated wastewater a day from the two treatment plants (water reclamation facilities) for reuse rather than discharging into creeks.
Amounts reused are:
• Approximately 1 million gallons on peak day
• Up to 20 million gallons monthly in summer
Reclaimed water customers include those near the North Cary plant such as WorldCom and John Deere and Middle Creek School Park near the South Cary Plant. The Town continues to evaluate opportunities to expand the system.
What is Reclaimed Water?
Reclaimed water has received advanced tertiary treatment and meets state water quality rules. Uses include irrigation, manufacturing processes, industrial cooling, street sweeping and dust control at construction sites.
Comparing lake water, tap water and reclaimed water
Jordan Lake Water Reclamation and Reuse Project
The Durham County Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant will provide reclaimed water to existing customers in the Wake County portion of Research Triangle Park and to the Town of Cary’s Thomas Brooks Park. The park is the site of the USA Baseball national training center.
> Fiscal Years Beginning July 2006 & July 2007 –Town of Cary, along with Wake County and Durham County, begins permitting and design process for reclaimed water system.
> Fiscal Year Beginning July 2007 – Town of Cary begins installing 4,200 feet of pipeline from the Durham County line to Kit Creek Road. (Anticipated cost - $975,000)
> Fiscal Years Beginning July 2007 & July 2008 – Town of Cary installs approximately 6 miles of pipeline from Kit Creek Road to Brooks Park. (Anticipated cost $4.8 million)
Reclaimed water service will be extended to some currently undeveloped portions of northwestern Cary as the system is implemented.
BENEFITS
To Customers
• Reclaimed water costs less than even the lowest irrigation rate for
single-family homes. See the savings.
• Alternate day watering restrictions do not apply to reclaimed water.
To the Community
• Reduces use of drinking water for irrigation, cooling and manufacturing
• Moves Cary toward goal of 20 percent water consumption reduction by 2015
• Increases regulatory compliance
• Reduces likelihood of greater outdoor watering restrictions
• Fulfills a commitment to the Neuse River Foundation
• Provides safe, cost-effective alternative to drinking water
Bulk Water Program
The Town makes reclaimed water available at no charge under certain conditions to customers who take at least 250 gallons and haul it from either treatment plant.
Facts in Brief
Cary treats wastewater for Cary, Morrisville, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and the Wake County portion of the Research Triangle Park. The reclaimed water program has two components - two reclaimed water piping systems system and two bulk water distribution centers. One of each are at the North Cary and South Cary treatment plants. The piping system runs parallel to existing drinking water lines in the vicinity of the North Cary and South Cary plants.
Contact
Rick Jordan
Reclaimed Water Coordinator
Cary Public Works & Utilities Department
400 James Jackson Ave
(919) 460-4939
rick.jordan@townofcary.org
Jeff Peters
Reclaimed Water Technician
Cary Public Works & Utilities Department
400 James Jackson Ave.
(919) 380-4270
jeff.peters@townofcary.org
