Potable Water: water that is suitable for direct human contact and uses such as drinking, cooking and bathing. Treated water from the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility and bottled water are examples of potable water.

Non-potable Water: water that is unsuitable for direct human contact but is appropriate for other uses such as irrigation, industrial cooling, street washing and construction site dust control. Raw untreated water from Jordan Lake and treated wastewater are examples of non-potable water.

Water Reclamation Facility: a facility that treats wastewater using a system that produces a beneficially reusable resource . Cary has three such facilities: the North Cary Water Reclamation Facility, the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility and the Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility.

Wastewater: "used" water that comes from sinks, showers, and toilets before it is cleaned and treated by the Town at one of three water reclamation facilities.

Reclaimed Water: treated and disinfected wastewater.

Did You Know?

• During summer up to half of the water flowing through Cary water
  meters is for irrigation.
• The bulk reclaimed water program provides up to 200,000 gallons of
  reclaimed water per day at no charge to trained and permitted haulers.
• Replacement hose bibs and valve box keys are available on request by
  calling 311 or (919) 469-4090.
• Cary’s reclaimed water system went into service in June 2001.
  Florida, California, Arizona, Texas and Washington state also allow
  reclaimed water for irrigation.
• The East Bay Municipal Utility District in California saves about 5.5
  billion gallons per year. Eventually, the project will save enough to
  provide drinking water to 83,000 homes.