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Ormond Beach staff briefs commission on potable-reuse options and reclaimed-water use; no plans for "toilet-to-tap"
Summary
City staff told the commission Ormond Beach has no current plans for direct potable reuse and that reclaimed water is being prioritized for irrigation; staff will return with policy options on local limits or a voter referendum if the commission wishes.
Assistant City Manager Sean Finley presented an informational briefing on potable-reuse options, explaining differences among indirect potable reuse, direct potable reuse (often called "toilet-to-tap") and aquifer storage recovery. He said Ormond Beach currently uses treated effluent chiefly for reclaimed-water irrigation, that the city recently secured a consumptive-use permit increase and that the city is not planning to implement direct potable reuse. Finley noted ongoing investments in treatment (including planned ultraviolet disinfection upgrades) and the city’s comparatively low per-capita potable use (about 62 gallons per day), which staff said reduces immediate pressure to pursue potable reuse.
Commissioners discussed whether the city should seek an ordinance or a voter referendum to preempt local adoption of direct potable reuse. Staff agreed to return with options and comparisons of other communities' approaches, including regulatory and charter vs. ordinance trade-offs. The commission did not adopt a policy at the meeting; staff will prepare options for future consideration.
