Survey of Reclaimed and Non-reclaimed Irrigation Water Use for Production of Container-grown Plants in Florida

A descriptive survey was conducted of container plant growers using reclaimed water (processed sewage) for irrigation of nursery crops and growers whose businesses were located in areas where reclaimed water was available but not used for irrigation. Surveys were completed during site visits except when participants wanted to complete the survey at a later time. Nurseries using reclaimed water produced trees, shrubs, perennials, bedding plants, foliage plants, and potted flowering plants. Average area outdoors or under shade irrigated with overhead sprinklers was 3.5 ha (8.6 A) and 10,777 m2 (116,000 ft2) for greenhouses. Participants responded that reclaimed water quality (67%) and quantity (50%) were consistent over time. All reclaimed water users were satisfied with both quality and quantity of reclaimed water. Most growers (83%) not using reclaimed water were using well water as the primary source of water. Seventy-one percent of non-reclaimed users responded that expense of connection to reclaimed wa...