More than 21 years ago, as an incentive to sign on, growers were offered reclaimed water at no cost for 20 years at pressures suitable for microsprinkler irrigation.

By providing agricultural customers with reclaimed water at pressures suitable for microsprinkler irrigation, costs for the installation, operation and maintenance of a pump system can be eliminated. For citrus growers, this means a savings of $128.50 per acre per year.

Agricultural customers also benefit from enhanced freeze protection capabilities. The project is able to supply enough water to each customer to protect all of their crops.

Citrus growers have also realized increased crop yields of 10 to 30 percent and tree growth of up to 400 percent. The increases are not due to the reclaimed water itself, but the availability of water in the soil for the tree to absorb. Since the water is free, growers are maintaining higher soil moisture levels.

Growers are also benefiting from research conducted by the Mid Florida Citrus Foundation, another WATER CONSERV II customer. The Foundation is a non-profit organization conducting research on the effects of reclaimed water on citrus and deciduous fruit and nut crops.