Volusia Eyes Ban on Wastewater in Drinking Water

Volusia County council members are scheduled to deliberate on a significant proposed charter amendment and a draft ordinance. The core objective of these measures is to prohibit the use of treated wastewater in the county's drinking water supply. This initiative stems from a petition championed by County Council Chairman Jeff Brower and resident Greg Gimbert, aiming to prevent what is commonly referred to as 'toilet-to-tap' water.

The proposal seeks to gain voter approval via a charter amendment, with a potential ballot measure targeted for November 2026. Chairman Brower emphasized that the council's vote would not enact the ban itself but would instead empower residents to make the final decision. Currently, three council members are sponsoring this ballot amendment, including Brower, Troy Kent, and Don Dempsey.

The petition specifically defines 'blackwater' as domestic sewage and seeks to prohibit its treatment and reuse in drinking water or injection into aquifers. While recycling wastewater is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a method to ensure a reliable drinking water source and build resilience against climate impacts like drought, Brower and his supporters wish to preemptively eliminate this possibility in Volusia County. However, state laws may prevent the county from enforcing a ban on all municipalities where the county does not supply drinking water.