“Thank you for reaching out regarding reclaimed water vs. potable for your irrigation.”
— Commissioner Bruce, responding to a resident question about their water bill
Residents across Winter Springs are opening their water bills and seeing a number higher than they expected. A big reason why often surprises people: if your irrigation system runs on potable water — the same treated drinking water that comes out of your tap — you’re paying premium rates to water your lawn.
I want to explain what that means, why it matters far beyond your monthly bill, and exactly what the city is doing to fix it — neighborhood by neighborhood.
The hidden reason your bill may be higher than it should be
If your irrigation system runs on potable water, that water goes through the same treatment process as what comes out of your kitchen tap — purified, tested, pressurized, and delivered to your home. Using it to water your lawn is effective, but it comes at a cost that many residents feel every month.
Many Winter Springs residents are already connected to reclaimed water for irrigation — and if you are, you’re in good shape. But a significant number of households are still on potable for their irrigation, and that’s what the city is actively working to change.
Beyond the bill, there’s a deeper issue most residents don’t know about: something called a Consumptive Use Permit, or CUP.
What is a CUP?
A Consumptive Use Permit is a state-issued authorization that sets a hard limit on how much water a city is legally allowed to draw from natural sources — aquifers, rivers, and springs. Florida’s water supply is finite. The more drinking water Winter Springs uses for irrigation, the faster we burn through our CUP allocation — and the closer we get to a day when the state could restrict our ability to grow or serve future residents.
Winter Springs has been planning around water supply constraints for decades. The city’s existing artesian well infrastructure and augmentation sites near Lake Jesup are part of that longer story — a serious, long-term investment in protecting our water future.
Lake Jesup Reclamation Plant — What it means for Winter Springs
Learn how the city’s long-term water augmentation infrastructure near Lake Jesup supports our ability to meet community demand while protecting natural water sources.
In other words, using potable water for irrigation isn’t just a personal expense — it’s a community resource challenge. Every gallon of treated drinking water used on a lawn is a gallon that can’t support drinking, cooking, or future growth.
Reclaimed water changes that equation entirely. It’s highly treated water that’s safe for irrigation but not for drinking — which makes it perfect for lawns, golf courses, and parks. Using it for irrigation frees up our drinking water supply, reduces our CUP draw, and costs residents significantly less.
When demand exceeds supply — a real example
The reclaimed water system has a finite amount of water available every day, determined by how much wastewater the city’s treatment facilities actually receive and process. During unusually hot or dry stretches — when irrigation demand spikes — that balance can be disrupted.
Many residents experienced this firsthand during the summer of 2023, when reduced rainfall led to a surge in reclaimed water demand that temporarily outpaced supply, causing low pressure across parts of the system. It was a visible reminder of just how interconnected our water infrastructure really is.
Reclaimed Water System: Low Pressure — August 2023
Commissioner Bruce explained what caused the pressure issues that summer, what the city did to mitigate them, and what residents can do to support the system during high-demand periods.
Expanding reclaimed water access to more neighborhoods directly reduces that risk — the more residents we move off potable irrigation, the more resilient the overall system becomes.
Where we are right now — and where we’re headed
The city has been steadily expanding the reclaimed water system. Here’s a snapshot of projects either completed, underway, or in the pipeline:
Project details reflect the city’s current infrastructure plan. For the latest status on your neighborhood, contact the Public Works department or reach out to my office directly.
Tuskawilla Crossings
Completed
Veterans Park · 12″ RWM Extension
Completed
Hickory Groves
In construction
Winter Springs Village
In design — conversion underway
The Highlands (southeast section)
Planned — connection pending
Wildwood
Planned — connection pending
Seminole Crossings
Planned — in design
The Landings at Parkstone · Chestnut Estates · Chestnut Ridge
Planned — existing services or connection pending
Glen Eagle + Seneca Blvd · Connect East & West Plants
Future phase — long-run extensions planned
What this means for you
If your neighborhood is on the list above, you’ll be hearing from the city as your area approaches its connection date. The transition to reclaimed water for irrigation is expected to lower your water costs while helping protect Winter Springs’ long-term water supply.
If your neighborhood isn’t listed yet — it doesn’t mean you’re forgotten. The system is being built outward, and more connections will be added as infrastructure allows. The goal is to get as many residents off potable irrigation as possible.
When it comes to water management, everything is interconnected. The city is diligently addressing flooding challenges, maximizing water quality, and protecting our water supply — all at the same time. This is one piece of a much larger puzzle, and it matters.
Have questions about reclaimed water in your neighborhood? Reach out to my office — I read every message.
Victoria K. Bruce
Commissioner, District 2 · City of Winter Springs · (407) 327-7585
Related reading
Lake Jesup Reclamation Plant
The city’s long-term water augmentation infrastructure and what it means for Winter Springs’ water future.
Reclaimed Water System: Low Pressure
What caused the 2023 pressure issues, how the city responded, and what residents can do to support the system.
