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By using this reclaimed water resource responsibly, residents will help conserve the Town’s potable water reserves and protect our natural environment. Reclaimed water can be identified by the lavender or “purple” color pipes, meter boxes, and other system components. This is a rule mandated by the State of North Carolina for a reclaimed water system. So, “think purple” when using reclaimed water!
Frequently Asked Questions | Download Brochure
WHAT IS RECLAIMED WATER?
Reclaimed water is produced at the Town’s Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility. Reclaimed water is wastewater that has been processed through advanced treatment systems to meet stringent reclaimed water quality standards that are mandated by the State of North Carolina. Reclaimed water is a “green” product because it minimizes the amount of potable water that must be produced to meet the Town’s water demands.
Reclaimed water is safe, and contact with it will not cause any harm to people, pets or
Property; however, use is regulated by the State of North Carolina to minimize direct human contact. Although it is a new program in Holly Springs, reclaimed water systems are proven technologies that have operated for years in other towns and states.
HOW CAN WE USE RECLAIMED WATER?
Residential and business customers may use reclaimed water for landscape irrigation, especially in irrigation systems designed or converted to comply with the Town’s reclaimed water irrigation requirements.
Reclaimed water also can be used for a limited number of other purposes; but most customers will use it only for irrigation.
Bulk reclaimed water also is available. An account, special permit, and special bulk water training are required to use bulk amounts of reuse water. Contact the Public Utilities Department to see if your business can benefit from reclaimed water.
 Contact:
Amy Moore, Director
Department of Public Utilities
P.O. Box 8
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1090
amy.moore@hollyspringsnc.us
HOW CAN I GET RECLAIMED WATER?
Residential reclaimed water currently is available west of G.B. Alford Highway.
Properties that have reclaimed water available will have two water meter boxes at the street. One meter will have a standard grey metal colored lid, and is your potable water service. The other meter box will have a purple lid (as shown in the photo at left) and is your reclaimed water service. If you have a reclaimed meter box and already have an irrigation system, it is connected to the reclaimed water system.
If you live west of G.B. Alford Highway and don’t have an irrigation system but want to install one, or you have one and want to modify it to use reuse water, contact the Town Code Enforcement Department to initiate the permitting and approval process.
Contact:
Sheila Haraway, permit specialist
Department of Code Enforcement
P.O. Box 8 / 128 S. Main St.
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 557-3915
sheila.haraway@hollyspringsnc.us
WHAT ARE THE RECLAIMED IRRIGATION SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS?
- Must receive permits from the Town of Holly Springs
- Reclaimed irrigation systems have been specially designed for distributing reclaimed water. Changing the programming or heads in your system should be performed only by a licensed irrigation contractor in order to insure that Town and State requirements are met.
- The rainfall sensor also must be connected and functional at all times.
WHY DO I HAVE TO HAVE A PERMIT?
North Carolina requires the Town to review and approve all use of reclaimed water. After meeting all requirements established by the Town, you may be permitted to use reclaimed water. These requirements include customer/homeowner training.
WHAT ARE ALLOWED USES?
- Watering lawns, trees, flower beds
- Filling decorative ponds and fountains with no drain to surface waters or storm drains
- Applying pesticide and fertilizer (water from bulk loading station can be used for this)
- Mixing concrete (water from bulk loading station can be used for this)
WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED:
- Irrigation during inclement weather (rain)
- Excessive irrigation
- Runoff from irrigated areas into the street, ditches, or streams
- Pooling or ponding in lawns due to excessive irrigation
- NEVER connect a reclaimed water hose to any part of a home’s plumbing
- Use reclaimed water only for approved uses
- If you don’t know, ask first! Call (919) 577-1090
- No hose bibs are allowed on a reclaimed water irrigation system
OTHER PROHIBITED USES
Reclaimed water cannot be applied within 25 feet of ponds, streams, or wetlands or within 100 feet of any drinking water well. These buffers will be identified when you apply for an irrigation system permit. Currently North Carolina and Town rules also prohibit the following uses:
- Watering or bathing pets
- Washing cars
- Filling swimming pools or hot tubs
- Recreational uses
- Watering food crops
- Toilet flushing
MALFUNCTIONS OR VIOLATIONS
If any part of your reclaimed irrigation system malfunctions (i.e. a line break, leak, rainfall sensor malfunction or controller failure, etc.) or if you suspect you may have a violation of allowed uses, take the following actions:
- Immediately stop the reclaimed water flow!
- Report incidents to the Town Department of Public Utilities as soon as possible! Call (919) 577-1090 or after hours, the Police Department at (919) 557-9111
- Repair or replace damaged equipment before turning the water back on.
Owners who have accidental violations will not be penalized if the violations are promptly reported and corrected. Negligent, intentional or malicious acts will be subject to enforcement actions and/or penalties, per Town ordinances and policies.
TIPS ON INCIDENTAL CONTACT
Incidental contact with reclaimed water is not harmful. Here are a few do’s and don’ts:
- Don’t allow children to play under the reclaimed sprinklers during use. It is safe to walk on grass that is being irrigated with reclaimed water.
- Do practice good hygiene. Wash with soap and water from a potable faucet if you come in contact with reclaimed water.
- Do normally launder your clothes.
- Don’t panic if someone accidentally ingests reclaimed water. Studies have shown several gallons of reclaimed water would have to be consumed to cause a problem.
- Don’t use reclaimed water containers for potable (drinking) water.
- Don’t store reclaimed water for longer than 72 hours.
- Do properly use reclaimed water or return it to the sewer system.
WHOM DO I CONTACT?
For general information about the Town of Holly Springs Reclaimed Water System, call the
Public Utilities Department at (919) 577-1090
To report a spill of reclaimed water or violation, call the
Public Utilities Department at (919) 577-1090 or after hours, the Police Department at (919) 557-9111
To apply for new service, call the
Code Enforcement Department at (919) 577-3915
For information about the infrastructure of the system or expansion plans, call the
Engineering Department at (919) 557-3838
For reclaimed water billing questions, call the
Finance Department at (919) 557-3920
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