- June 5, 2026
Dear Editor:
The “toilet to tap” question is not a credible issue facing our city.
I write to present facts and relevant questions on the beneficial reuse of nonpotable wastewaters based on my decades-long public health/environmental engineering background ensuring safe drinking water for metropolitan Baltimore and our US Army worldwide.
Did you know that Ormond Beach already practices safe recycling of nonpotable wastewaters, and has for many years? Here are two prominent instances.
First, there are approximately 300 septic tanks in Ormond and another 4,000 in Ormond-by-the-Sea, parts of which we supply with drinking water. After natural soil filtration, some resulting leachate from these tanks percolates into our aquifer where extensive dilution occurs.
Second, there are 4-5 million gallons of highly treated wastewater applied daily to irrigate and enhance lawns and landscapes throughout our city. This reclaimed water is used by 4,500+ residents (about 10% of our population), commercial businesses and in public areas. Eventually, residual leachate from treated wastewater irrigating lawns also finds its way into our aquifer where tremendous dilution occurs.
If a public referendum is authorized and all toilet-to-tap (recycling of nonpotable wastewaters) is banned, then would septic tanks be outlawed? Must lawn and landscape irrigation cease to the detriment of our paradise? How would the city replace these critical services? How quickly? At what cost? How would these major projects be funded? These critical questions must be addressed.
Also, why is this being raised now? No direct toilet-to-tap plans have been announced by our city or county.
We know Ormond’s treatment of aquifer water, with space-age technological advancements, produces the safe, fine quality of potable water we enjoy today.
As a side note, direct toilet-to-tap reuse occurs on the space station. The only water sources there are urine, sweat, cabin air humidity and hygiene water (from teeth brushing, handwashing and shower runoff). A sophisticated, highly efficient closed loop recovery system produces their potable water.
Ormond has sufficient potable water supply into the future. When additional drinking water is needed, the desalination option has been studied by the St. Johns Water District, and consumer water conservation can save up to 30% applying guidance from the American Water Works Association.
So, why would we implement a ban now that limits our future options for potable use of recycled water in the event conditions point to its serious consideration?
Again, indirect toilet to tap exists here now in a very beneficial way. Direct reuse is not being considered and our city will not inject wastewater into tap water as some suggest, so why waste taxpayer funds on a referendum of this non-issue?
Facts are essential in intelligently addressing the challenges facing our city. Toilet to tap is not one of those challenges.
Jerry A. Valcik
Ormond Beach
