Demonstration Testing System

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Overview

One of the most important resources in a community is its drinking water and managing this vital resources for future generations is a priority for the City of Daytona Beach. The city partnered with the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) for an innovative direct potable reuse Demonstration Testing System, which is a two-year pilot program to purify wastewater effluent through an advanced purification system. The purified water from the testing system is returned to the wastewater treatment system and is not be used as drinking water.

Located at the city's wastewater treatment plant off LPGA Boulevard, the facility is Florida's first full-scale direct potable reuse demonstration testing site. The purpose of the demonstration testing site is to provide valuable, continuous, real-time data that will be available for use by regulatory agencies to assist them with developing standards and guidelines required to implement this technology in Florida. The 2-year data gathering effort of the demonstration is expected to be completed in the fall of 2021. 

What is "direct potable reuse?" Web_Wastewater reuse treatment process_Oct 27 2020

One innovative approach to alternative water supply is direct potable reuse – which creates highly purified water from wastewater effluent. It is an emerging technology being explored for applicability in Florida. Direct potable reuse is currently in use in two drought-prone areas of Texas and is being explored by nine other states.

In partnership with SJRWMD, Daytona Beach constructed a first for Florida full-scale direct potable reuse demonstration testing site at the Westside Regional Water Reclamation Facility. Treated effluent is processed through the demonstration testing system, tested, and the purified water is then placed back in the wastewater treatment process. The water from the demonstration testing facility is not and will not be placed in the city’s drinking water supply. 

Before this technology can be implemented, the following actions need to take place:

  • Additional studies such as impacts of blending water from different resources.
  • An increase in drinking water demand and/or a reduced raw water supply.
  • Major capital improvements to the city's water treatment plant to implement this new source.
  • Passage of new statewide regulations to permit direct potable reuse using this technology.
  • Evaluating cost benefit of this technology compared to other alternatives.


The city's approach to water resources 

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Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact Regulatory Compliance Manager Robin Cook at (386) 671-8885 or by email.

For additional information, view this brochure (PDF).