JEA pilot program plans to turn sewage water into drinking water

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Related: JEA CEO: Revenue is in decline ahead of potential sale

JEA has a plan to turn sewage water into drinking water.

Action News Jax caught up with JEA CEO Paul McElroy about a new pilot program.

“In the next 12 to 18 months, we're working on a process, in partnership with the state, where we'll truly be reclaiming water from our sewer plants,” McElroy said.  “Not reclaiming water to irrigate lawns and gardens, but reclaiming water to potable standards, that's drinking water from our sewer plants.”

Right now, McElroy said the water is only being treated to reclaimed status, like for your sprinkler system.

McElroy said the options are treating the water or injecting it back into the aquifer.

That's where our water comes from, and JEA said it's becoming limited as the state grows.

To cut costs and better protect the environment, other states like Texas and California have been doing this for years.

A recent EPA report said potable reuse can play a ‘critical role’ especially when one considers ‘long-term water scarcity is expected to increase over time in many parts of the country.’

But that doesn't mean JEA customers like the idea.

“Heck no [I wouldn’t drink that],” said JEA customer Terri Sanders.

While it may be gross to some, McElroy said other uses of water would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to manage.

This pilot program is set to start in May.  JEA hasn't given an exact cost, but says the state is helping foot the bill.

Cox Media Group