Dry weather cuts into Manatee reclaimed-water system's pressure

The same spate of unseasonably dry weather that prompted Manatee County officials to set a ban on outdoor burning earlier this week also prompted an advisory on Wednesday about low pressure in the county’s reclaimed-water system.

 The system, mainly used for irrigation, is under increased demand because of a run of rainless weather in the region. Since Jan. 1, 12.30 inches have fallen at SRQ, compared to more than 20 by this date in 2025. To date in June, .1 of an inch has fallen at the airport, though chances for rainfall are on the increase throughout this week.

Drinking water is not affected, county officials stressed.

County operations staff are managing system flows and pressures to maximize reclaimed water delivery while maintaining regulatory compliance and system reliability, the county said in a news release. Manatee County is anticipating increasing reclaimed water distribution, which is expected to improve system pressures if weather conditions and customer demand remain consistent.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding as we work to meet the increased demand,” said Brent Laudicina, Utilities Division Manager. “Our team continues to monitor system conditions closely and make operational adjustments where possible to provide the highest level of service. In the meantime, we are all hoping for some much-needed rainfall to help reduce irrigation demand and support the recovery of normal system pressures.”

Reclaimed water is treated wastewater that has been cleaned to meet specific water quality standards for non-potable uses. It is distributed through a dedicated system of pipes apart from potable infrastructure.