• What is OASIS?
• What is reuse water?
• How is reuse made?
• Why does reuse water for irrigation make sense?
• What is the cost for a typical homeowner to hook up to the OASIS system?
• What are other benefits of OASIS?
• Is reuse water safe? Who else is doing this?
• Who supports use of reuse water?
• Is there a financial assistance program for homeowners to connect their irrigation systems to the reuse supply? 

• Who is eligible to participate in the reuse assessment/financing program? 

• What monitoring does reuse water undergo to ensure its safety?
• Will reuse water stain my walls and sidewalks?
• Does reuse water smell?
• What are improper applications of reuse water?
• Is there an unlimited supply of reuse water?
• Where is OASIS available?
• Will reuse water hurt my plants or lawn?
• Should reuse water be used for edible plants?
• What happens if I get reuse on my skin or if my pets get it on them?
• Why have purple meter boxes?
• How can I be sure that OASIS is helping the City to conserve drinking water?
• What is a backflow assembly and why do I need one?  
• Who owns and is responsible for testing and maintenance of the backflow prevention assembly?
• How do I connect to OASIS Reuse?
• Who maintains my reuse system?
• How can I learn more about OASIS and reuse programs in our area? 

What is OASIS?

OASIS is an acronym for Our Alternative Supply Irrigation System. The City operates and maintains the OASIS in a cost effective, reliable, and safe manner, which meets all State and Federal permits and regulations.  Using reuse water for irrigation allows us to have a nearly limitless supply of irrigation water to keep our City green and plush without tapping into our precious and limited Biscayne Aquifer, our source for drinking water.  Pompano Beach is making it Clean and turning it Green.

What is reuse water?

How is reuse made?

OASIS reuse water is made by diverting water headed to the Atlantic Ocean from the North Broward Regional Treatment Plant to our reuse facility.  At our reuse plant, the water is filtered through up flow sand filters and disinfected using Sodium Hypo-Chlorite.  After testing, the water is pumped to ground storage tanks.  It is sent via pressure pumps from the ground storage tanks to your location for irrigation.

Why does reuse water for irrigation make sense?

In the past, this treated wastewater has been essentially 'thrown away' by discharging it into the Ocean. Studies show us that the typical Pompano Beach customer poured approximately 50% of their drinking water each month onto lawns and landscaping. Reuse water is a way to conserve a valuable resource by reducing the amount of drinking water used as irrigation.  Each gallon of reuse water used saves one gallon of drinking water.  The capacity of the OASIS facility is currently 7.5 million gallons a day, with a possible expansion up to 12.5 million gallons a day for future use. 

What is the cost for a typical homeowner to hook up to the OASIS system?

A full listing of rates is listed in the City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 54, §54.05 Connection Charges and Rates.  Click for Pompano Beach Code of Ordinances Online.  Monthly service availability charge and (2) Commodity charges per 1,000 gallons.

What are other benefits of OASIS?

Other benefits include:

• No wastewater treatment cost for Reuse water

• Postponing of capital expense to expand the potable system

• Reducing the need for fertilizer

• Good environmental stewardship

Is reuse water safe? Who else is doing this?

Yes, reuse water is safe.  The OASIS facility is licensed to function, under specific guidelines, by the State of Florida and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The plant is operated by Florida licensed Wastewater Plant Operators.  All State and Federal permits and regulations, along with Operator Certifications, can be viewed at the Reuse Facility.

Many safeguards are built into every water reclamation facility, and the water is tested to meet national, state and local regulatory standards. The City of Pompano Beach meets or exceeds all of these regulatory standards for its production of reuse water.  Simply put, this water cannot leave the plant until it has been fully tested for safety and water quality.  Reuse water is not intended for consumption, but it poses no threat to public health from accidental contact.

Reuse water is actively used in more than 1,900 locations around the country, about 400 of them here in Florida. Some communities on the west coast of Florida have had a similar successful urban irrigation reuse water program in place for more than 20 years.

Is there a financial assistance program for homeowners to connect their irrigation systems to the reuse supply? 

The City has a program to finance the private property costs for a single family residence homeowner to connect to reuse.  Go to the Customer Service website or call customer service at 954.786.4637 for more information.

Who is eligible to participate in the reuse assessment/financing program? 

Single family residence homeowners with reuse available to their property are eligible.

Who supports use of reuse water?

Use of reuse water for irrigation is one of the alternative water supplies endorsed by the South Florida Water Management District in an effort to prevent saltwater intrusion and restore the Everglades.  The use of reuse water is also supported by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

What monitoring does reuse water undergo to ensure its safety?

Reuse water is tested continuously using online systems as well as tested daily for bacterial levels.  A complete suite of metals, inorganics and organics is conducted annually.  All results are reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Will reuse water stain my walls and sidewalks?

Reuse water is colorless and will not stain concrete.

Does reuse water smell?

The ability to smell varies from person to person.  Some people with a highly sensitive sense of smell may detect a slight musky odor, while others may detect no odor.

What are improper applications of reuse water?

Do not use for the following:

• Body contact recreation, such as pools or spas, hot tubs, wading pools or children playing in sprinklers.

• Connection to a dwelling unit for any purpose, including water cooled air conditioning consumption.

• Operation through a hose bib.

• Washing of pets, equipment, siding, roofs, driveways, or vehicles.

• Application to "salad" crops (i.e., lettuce, tomatoes, berries).

• Any indoors use, such as drinking or cooking.

Is there an unlimited supply of reuse water?

While reuse water helps to conserve precious drinking water, the supply is not without a limit. We suggest that you treat it as any other resource, and water wisely.

Where is OASIS available?

The initial phase made it possible to provide reuse water services to Harbor Drive and future phases are already being planned.  Click on the Reuse Map link to view your neighborhood.

Will reuse water hurt my plants or lawn?

Since reuse water is higher in salt content than drinking water, very salt sensitive plants may be affected. Otherwise, the low level of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen in the reuse water may actually eliminate the need for additional fertilizers.
 

Should reuse water be used for edible plants?

Studies of the use of high quality reuse water show that it can be safely used to irrigate edible food crops. In fact, the National reuse guidelines (EPA, 1992) fully support the use of reuse water meeting Florida's standards as being safe for irrigation of any type of edible crop.  Spray irrigation for citrus trees is acceptable.  However, Florida's reuse water guidelines are more stringent than the National and International guidelines. Florida's reuse water rules also allow for irrigation of food crops, but with one exception. Spray irrigation using reuse water is prohibited for crops which will not be peeled, skinned, cooked, or thermally processed before human consumption (salad crops). 

What happens if I get reuse on my skin or if my pets get it on them?

No harmful effects have been reported to occur due to reuse water exposure.  Wash the affected area with soap and water as a precaution.  The Florida Statutes states:  "The Legislature finds that the use of reclaimed water...is environmentally acceptable and not a threat to public health and safety."

Why have purple meter boxes?

Purple (Pantone 522C) is the national color standard symbolizing reuse/reclaimed water.

How can I be sure that OASIS is helping the City to conserve drinking water? 

By using OASIS water instead of drinking water to irrigate, the City’s Golf Course, Community Park and medians, customers have already been able to make a notable impact.  In 2004, the City and its customers used more than 546 million gallons of OASIS water for area beautification, saving 546 million gallons of drinking water, 10% of our total drinking water.

In 2005, Citi Center Mall became a reuse customer.  As we continue to add to our customer base, the savings to our system will grow.

What is a backflow assembly and why do I need one?

A backflow assembly is a mechanism that prevents back-siphonage of water.  A backflow assembly ensures that no reuse water is accidentally introduced into the drinking water supply in the event of mistake in pipe connections or illegal hookups.  Remember the reuse water and the drinking water systems are completely separate and should never be interconnected.  The backflow assembly protects you and the rest of the City from possible cross connections.  Backflow assemblies are required by the State of Florida.

Who owns and is responsible for testing and maintenance of the backflow prevention assembly?

The customer owns and is solely responsible for ensuring that the backflow prevention assembly is installed and in satisfactory operating condition at all times.  The customer is responsible for hiring a Certified Backflow prevention Technician to install and test the backflow prevention assembly.  Service will not be activated until the assembly passes this Initial Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Certification.  If the assembly does not pass this certification, the customer must contact a Certified Backflow Prevention Technician to have the problem corrected.  The customer must then contact Pompano Beach Building Department, present a Certification of Passing and have the Reuse water service activated.  All certifications must be performed by the customer’s Certified Backflow Prevention Technician.  This certificate must be onsite and available for the plumbing inspector at the time of inspection. 

How do I connect to OASIS Reuse?

Go to the Sign up link or call Customer Service Division at 954.786.4637. 

Who maintains my reuse system?

You maintain your irrigation system (sprinklers & pipes) as well as ensure that the backflow assembly is checked once a year by a certified technician. The City of Pompano Beach maintains the network of distribution pipes and the meter. 

How can I learn more about OASIS and reuse programs in our area?

If you would like to receive more information about OASIS, or about other ways to conserve water, please go to the Useful Links on our web page or call Customer Service Division at 954.786.4637.