Florida is preparing for the planned use of treated wastewater for consumption. PureALTA, a pilot project funded by the state government, is a plant that provides perfectly drinkable water from wastewater. Based in Altamonte Springs in Central Florida, its mission was to find a way to transform wastewater into water that could be drunk by everyone. Many technologies exist, and UV treatment was the one selected.
The City Manager, Frank Martz, spearheaded the project. He explains, « The technology is proven. They’re allowing, kind of, the population to get used to the ideas of alternative water. » He adds that the water is chemically and biologically clean. Ultraviolet rays bombard the water, breaking down all pharmaceuticals and other inorganic compounds and transforming them into ”inert elements » that are no longer harmful to human health. The goal is to remove all bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
For the time being, the pilot plant does not supply this water to consumers. It is used for municipal public services (cleaning, watering), golf course irrigation, and watering private lawns, parks, and schools.
However, since February 2025, the state has authorized the direct and indirect use of wastewater (recycled or treated) for consumption. This type of plant is expected to become more common in the future, particularly in the Central region, near Orlando, where the population is projected to increase by 41% by 2045. In reality, despite all the visible water that surrounds us, Florida could face a freshwater shortage in the future.
In the center of the state, drinking water comes mainly from the massive aquifer on which it rests. This aquifer also supplies the lakes, rivers, and springs that tourists and manatees enjoy. It is an unconfined aquifer and recharges quickly, thanks in part to recycled water. But pumping without limit from this aquifer is not without consequences, particularly in terms of declining water quality and the risk of land subsidence.
For now, the state simply wants the public to become familiar with the idea of drinking recycled wastewater. It is even possible to taste it. According to journalist Molly Duerig of Central Florida Public Media for WLRN, who visited the site, the water has no particular taste or smell.
One Daytona Beach resident said, “It’s completely gross, I don’t believe it’s safe.” He pointed out that instead of building and developing at all costs, we should be thinking about limiting water consumption.
Clay Coarsey, director of water supply planning and assessment for the St. Johns River Water Management District, said, “It takes some time, right, for people to start realizing: ‘This reclaimed water is actually now an asset, and not something that we’re just trying to dispose of’”.
The city of Altamonte Springs is ready to go. Martz tells WLRN, “The decision about when this type of water is integrated with drinking water systems? That’s a decision for the folks in Tallahassee”. “The water itself is ready. The question is: are the users ready?”
