Overview
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.
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 washing and dust control at construction
sites.
Comparing lake water, tap water and reclaimed water
Triangle Reuse Project
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 future site of the USA Baseball national training center.
> Fiscal Year Beginning July 2005 – 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 2006 & July 2007 – Town of Cary installs approximately 6 miles of pipeline from Kit Creek Road to Brooks Park. (Anticipated cost $4.1 million)
Reclaimed water service could eventually be extended
to the currently
undeveloped portion of northwestern Cary if the need arises.
BENEFITS
To Customers
• Reclaimed water costs less than even the lowest irrigation rate
for
single-family homes. See
the savings.
• Outdoor
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
John Dodson
Reclaimed water coordinator
Cary Public Works & Utilities Department
400 James Jackson Ave
(919) 460-4939 (office)
(919) 621-7989 (cell)
john.dodson@townofcary.org