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Florida's population is expected to increase from 16 million in 1995 to 22 <br />million by the year 2020 and freshwater needs are expected to grow from <br />8.2 to 9.1 billion gallons per day (Florida Council of 100, 2003). Currently a <br />large percentage (40-60%) of potable water (drinking quality water) is used <br />for non -potable needs such as landscape irrigation. Conservation <br />measures such as irrigating with reclaimed water is one way to reduce the <br />use of existing potable water supplies. <br />Reusing water has several environmental benefits: <br />• Reduced groundwater withdrawals; <br />• Reduced need for new drinking water supplies such as new surface water <br />withdrawals or desalination plants; <br />• Reduced need for new drinking water infrastructure such as storage reservoirs, <br />pipelines and water treatment plants; and <br />• Improved water quality of the natural environment by reducing the amount of <br />nutrients that are discharged directly to surface and groundwaters. <br />