Broward County, FL Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory hookup distance
- within 1/4 mile of a main
- Low-demand exemption
- ≤1,000 gallons/day potable use
- Indoor use
- prohibited in any dwelling
- Service cutoff notice
- 7 calendar days written notice
- Applies to
- unincorporated and incorporated service area
Summary
Developments within a quarter mile of a Broward County reclaimed water main must extend the line and connect, and are then bound by strict limits on where reclaimed water may be used.
All developments located within one-quarter (1/4) mile of an available public reclaimed water system accessible by dedicated easements or rights-of-way shall extend the reclaimed water system the full width of the portion of the development abutting a dedicated easement or rights-of-way and connect thereto. All property within the development is subject to the reclaimed water prohibitions found in Section 34-254 without further notice.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Under the Broward County Reclaimed Water Ordinance (Ch. 34, Art. XI), any development within 1/4 mile of an available public reclaimed water system must extend the line and connect (Sec. 34-252), unless total potable demand is 1,000 gallons/day or less or the Director grants a waiver. Once connected, customers may not use potable water, wells, or surface water for irrigation where reclaimed water is available, cannot run reclaimed water inside any dwelling, cannot use above-ground hose bibbs residentially, and cannot fill pools, hot tubs, or fountains with it, absent written Director authorization (Sec. 34-254). The rule reaches unincorporated AND incorporated areas inside the utility's service area, not just unincorporated Broward.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliant reclaimed water systems can have service discontinued on 7 days' written notice from the Director (Sec. 34-255); prohibited uses under Sec. 34-254 are enforced through the county's standard ordinance-enforcement remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside cities like Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
Can I irrigate with potable water instead of reclaimed water?
Can reclaimed water be used to fill a swimming pool?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida water use rules overview
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