Tram Road Reuse Facility
Mayor John Marks, joined by representatives from state, local and regional agencies, today celebrated the City's latest Green initiative --- the official opening of the Tram Road Reuse Facility (TRRF). The $4.6 million facility is the first in the region to provide reclaimed or recycled wastewater for irrigation of public areas, such as golf courses and roadsides. It has been nearly 10 years in the making and represents a successful partnership between the City's Water Utility, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) and the St. Joe Company.
Frequently Asked Questions about Water Reuse and TRRF
"The reuse facility represents our ongoing commitment not only to protecting the environment, but also to enhancing natural resources and our quality of life," said Mayor John Marks. "This important project, which began nearly a decade ago, will help conserve drinking water in the Floridan Aquifer and preserve area ecosystems."
The Tram Road Reuse Facility is the first water reuse facility in the region, and supplements the more than $200 million City commitment to wastewater treatment improvements to further protect groundwater and our area treasures like Wakulla Springs.
The 1.2 million-gallon-per-day plant will take a portion of the treated wastewater bound for the City's Southeast Farm facility and add additional treatment so the reclaimed water can be used for irrigation purposes at the SouthWood Golf Club, the Capital Circle Office Complex, athletic fields at the Florida State University Developmental Research School (Florida High) and Pope John Paul II High School as well as medians and landscaping along Capital Circle Southeast. Future plans include expanding the availability of recycled water to other areas of the community, as feasible.
The facility is part of the City's commitment to using treated wastewater in innovative and environmentally sensitive ways. It is in addition to the City's $160 million plan to implement advanced wastewater treatment and other improvements to protect area groundwater and natural resources such as Wakulla Springs.
How will TRRF supplement Wastewater Treatment?
The 1.2 million-gallon-per-day plant will take a portion of the treated wastewater bound for the City's Southeast Farm facility and add additional treatment so the reclaimed water can be used for irrigation purposes at the SouthWood Golf Club, the Capital Circle Office Complex, athletic fields at the Florida State University Developmental Research School (Florida High) and Pope John Paul II High School as well as medians and landscaping along Capital Circle Southeast.
What is "Reclaimed Water" or "Water Recycling"?
Water recycling refers to capturing wastewater from our sinks, washing machines, baths, etc., treating it to an advanced level and reusing it for a new and beneficial purpose. Reclaimed water is ideal for plant irrigation and other commercial/industrial uses.
What will the reclaimed water be used for?
- Irrigation for golf courses, athletic fields and landscaping.
What can't reclaimed water be used for?
- Cooking or drinking
- Body-contact recreation (including swimming pools)
- Irrigating vegetable and herb gardens (unless a drip or bubbler system is used)
How is the reclaimed water distributed?
Reclaimed water is always distributed in separate lavender (light purple) pipes to distinguish it from potable water.
What is the City of Tallahassee's Wastewater Treatment System?
The City of Tallahassee's sanitary sewer collection system is comprised of approximately 675 miles of gravity pipe and is connected to over 15,000 manholes. The gravity system is supported by over 85 pumping stations using approximately 100 miles of force main.
This sewage system transports raw sewage from the homes and businesses in Tallahassee to one of two wastewater treatment facilities--the Lake Bradford Road (LBR) Wastewater Treatment Facility or the Thomas P. Smith (TPS) Water Reclamation Facility. These pipes that carry sewage are completely separate from the system that carries potable water and separate from the stormwater system.