Volusia County, FL Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Chapter 122, Article V governs Volusia County's reclaimed water reuse program, adopted to make treated wastewater available for irrigation where the county council finds a distribution system practical and economical (§ 122-181). Service is considered "available" whenever a functioning reclaimed water main sits within 100 feet of the property, or extension to that distance is cost-effective, as determined by the utilities director (§ 122-184). New developments in the unincorporated area must design and install reclaimed water distribution systems for irrigating green areas under the Land Development Code, and the director can require connection as a condition of receiving potable water and wastewater service (§ 122-185).

Once reclaimed water reaches a site, § 122-186(b) makes it unlawful to keep irrigating with potable water: existing potable-water irrigation systems must be disconnected and reconnected to the reclaimed system within 90 days of written notice, though the director may grant temporary variances during reclaimed-water shortages or operational problems. New irrigation systems built after service becomes available must connect within 90 days of notice, or upon completion of construction if reclaimed water is already available (§ 122-186(d)). Existing private irrigation wells may keep operating, but the county will not permit new wells or rehabilitation of old ones once reclaimed water is available (§ 122-186(c)).

Every connection is metered with no free service, and the Volusia County Water and Utility Service Group inspects each property, requiring an approved backflow prevention device before any reclaimed-water hookup is permitted (§§ 122-198, 122-199, 122-201).