Through the natural water cycle, the earth has recycled and reused water for millions of years. BJWSA treats wastewater in a process called water reclamation. This “reclaimed” water is not drinking water, but can be safely reused for irrigation.
With unprecedented weather extremes throughout the Southeastern United States, projected population growth, and ever increasing water demands, a proactive and flexible approach to managing our water supply is more critical than ever. BJWSA has developed a comprehensive water supply program, called the Integrated Water Resource Management Plan. The purpose of this plan is to ensure that our communities have the water they need over the next 50 years. We are focusing on three major strategies: become water efficient, reclaim and reuse water as much as possible and develop new water sources.
Become more efficient
We are promoting efficient water use through many activities. Increasing water efficiency saves water, which will reduce demands on our water sources (the Savannah River and the Floridan Aquifer). Reduced demands will delay the need for the costly expansion of water treatment facilities and development of new water sources in the future.
Reclaim and reuse water
Increased reclamation and reuse of water will also reduce demands on the Savannah River and the Floridan Aquifer and help delay the need for the costly expansion of water treatment facilities and development of new water sources and supplies. Selling reclaimed water for irrigation provides us with an additional source of revenue.
Develop new water sources
While we are pursuing water efficiency, reclamation and reuse to postpone the need for new water sources and supplies, we are also looking at ways to protect existing supplies. One way to reduce stress on our current supplies is to diversify future water supplies. By finding new water sources we will provide more reliability and flexibility to our water system.