The phrase “toilet-to-tap” may stop some people in their tracks, but the water-reuse technology behind it is becoming part of a growing debate across Florida.
Palm Coast is now considering taking a major step to make sure treated wastewater never becomes part of the city’s drinking water supply.
The process, formally known as direct potable reuse, involves highly treated wastewater being purified and returned directly to a community’s drinking water system.
For some Palm Coast residents, the idea is an immediate turnoff.
“Personally, it sounds unsanitary. Sounds like something I don’t want to be drinking,” Palm Coast resident Hakym Boyd said.
A growing debate across Florida
The debate is not limited to Palm Coast.
In Volusia County, residents circulated a petition seeking a ban on direct potable reuse. The county council rejected a proposed ballot measure in a 4-3 vote in February.
In Daytona Beach, commissioners unanimously approved a ban that will go before voters in November.
Palm Coast is taking a different approach by considering putting the prohibition directly into city code.
Boyd said he does not want treated wastewater entering his drinking supply.
“No, absolutely not,” he said.
Palm Coast says it doesn’t use the process
City officials emphasize that Palm Coast does not currently use direct potable reuse and has no plans to implement it.
Instead, the city says about 99% of its treated water is sent for reclaimed use, including irrigation for lawns and farms and use in cooling towers.
Palm Coast Communications Director Brittany Kershaw said direct potable reuse is generally associated with much larger communities and comes with a significant price tag.
“It’s really being done by very large cities and it’s super expensive. So it’s definitely not something the city of Palm Coast is ready to invest in,” Kershaw said.
Some residents want to see the science
Not everyone is opposed to the idea outright.
Some residents say they would want to see data demonstrating that the water is safe before deciding whether direct potable reuse should be prohibited.
“If I knew and you could with data show me that it’s safe to drink, then sure. But I need numbers and things to back that up,” Palm Coast resident Claire Ruehle said.
That question — whether treated wastewater can be safely purified and returned to the drinking supply — is becoming increasingly relevant as Florida’s population grows and communities look for new ways to manage limited water resources.
Tampa and Polk County are investing in direct potable reuse, while Altamonte Springs uses reclaimed water for purposes such as irrigation.
Palm Coast officials say the city is not pursuing direct potable reuse, but the proposed ordinance would establish a local prohibition.
What happens next?
The Palm Coast City Council is expected to consider the ordinance during its meeting.
The proposal would need two official readings before becoming part of city code.
And while the ordinance could establish a ban today, the final language does not necessarily prevent a future city council from changing the law.
For now, Palm Coast’s message is clear: reclaimed water can be used for lawns, farms and other purposes — but city officials want to keep it out of the drinking water system.