Buying or selling in Cary and wondering if that lush lawn is irrigated with reclaimed water? You are not alone. Reclaimed water can lower irrigation costs, change how you water during drought, and add a few compliance steps to your to‑do list. In this guide, you will learn how to confirm service for a specific address, what to review in your due diligence, and how to plan costs if you want to connect. Let’s dive in.
Reclaimed water in Cary: the basics
Cary operates a reclaimed water system that delivers highly treated wastewater for non‑potable uses like landscape irrigation and cooling towers. It is disinfected at Town facilities and distributed through separate purple‑marked pipes. You should never drink reclaimed water or connect it to household plumbing. For the Town’s overview and contacts, see the Reclaimed Water program page on the Town website here.
North Carolina regulates water reuse systems and sets rules for permitted uses, treatment standards, and labeling. State rules require clear purple identification on reclaimed water infrastructure and prohibit cross‑connections with potable water. If you are evaluating a property, these markings and separation rules matter for safety and compliance. Review the state framework through NC DEQ guidance.
How to check if a Cary property is in a reclaimed water district
Step 1: Search the Town’s map
Start with the Town of Cary’s interactive reclaimed water map. Enter the property address to see whether service lines and service areas include the location. If you need help, contact Cary 311 for assistance. Open the map here.
Step 2: Review the utility bill and meters
Reclaimed water is metered and appears as a separate line item on the Town utility bill. If the bill shows reclaimed usage or a separate reclaimed meter number, the property is connected. The Town requires metering for reclaimed accounts. See the Town’s metering requirement in the municipal code here.
Step 3: Look for purple indicators on site
Walk the yard and inspect any irrigation equipment. You are looking for purple pipe, valve boxes, caps, or signs that say “Reclaimed Water – Do Not Drink.” These visual cues indicate a reclaimed system and help prevent cross‑connections.
Step 4: Request documentation
Ask the seller or listing agent for irrigation permits, any Reclaimed Water Use Statement of Compliance, and backflow testing records. The Town runs a residential backflow testing program and maintains standards for assemblies and testing intervals. You can review the Town’s backflow program details here.
If the home is connected: buyer and seller checklists
Buyer checklist
- Confirm whether the irrigation uses reclaimed or potable water. Ask for 12 months of utility bills and look for a reclaimed meter line item. The Town requires reclaimed usage to be metered and billed.
- Request the latest backflow prevention test report and the name of the certified tester. Verify the assembly type and test dates against Town requirements using the Town’s backflow resources here.
- Inspect for purple pipe, valve boxes, and reclaimed signage. Photograph the meter and the irrigation controller location for your records.
- Confirm any local watering rules and exemptions. According to the Town’s reclaimed water FAQ, reclaimed irrigation customers are exempt from the alternate‑day watering rule. See the FAQ here.
Seller checklist
- Organize documentation: reclaimed connection paperwork, reclaimed meter reads, recent utility bills, and backflow test records. Include any irrigation permits or compliance forms.
- Disclose known issues related to the irrigation and reclaimed connection. Provide maintenance history and contacts for any service providers.
- Share practical details buyers appreciate, such as the meter location, controller make and model, and any seasonal maintenance or winterization routines.
Inside the service area but not yet connected
Town policy expects reclaimed infrastructure to be installed as service is extended and new development is built inside designated service areas. If a property is inside the service area but not yet connected, take a practical approach.
- Contact Cary Utilities via 311 to confirm whether a reclaimed main is available at the property line and what steps are required to connect. The Town explains tap, meter, and fee procedures in its Utility System Extension and Connection Policy, available here.
- Request a field evaluation so the Town can calculate connection fees and any site restoration costs for pavement or sidewalk impacts. Ask about scheduling and lead times.
- If mains are not yet adjacent, ask whether an extension is planned and what the typical timeline looks like. The Town maintains a Reclaimed Water Master Plan that guides expansion.
- Weigh costs and benefits. Consider one‑time connection and plumbing changes against likely irrigation savings at the reclaimed rate and the benefit of drought watering flexibility. The Town’s reclaimed FAQ discusses rates and exemptions here.
Costs, rates, and billing
Reclaimed water usage is billed monthly on your Town utility bill. The account has a separate reclaimed meter, and the Town requires metering for reclaimed supply.
The Town’s reclaimed water FAQ has listed an example rate of 4.73 dollars per 1,000 gallons for reclaimed water. Rates can change with budget cycles, so confirm current charges on the Town’s rate pages or by calling 311. Review the FAQ for current context here.
If you plan to connect, budget for a tap and meter fee, a code‑compliant backflow assembly, and any on‑site plumbing adjustments. The Town’s Utility System Extension and Connection Policy outlines the connection process and cost development, available here.
Safety and operations to expect
Reclaimed water is for non‑potable use only. It must remain separate from your home’s drinking water system and be marked with purple identification. State rules and local procedures are designed to prevent cross‑connections. For the statewide framework, see NC DEQ’s overview here.
Backflow prevention is required on irrigation systems and testing must be kept current. Keep copies of test reports and know where your assembly is located on site.
Cary schedules routine reclaimed water maintenance, including an annual February maintenance holiday when reclaimed irrigation may be temporarily unavailable. The Town posts notices on the Reclaimed Water pages, beginning with the main program page here.
Quick action plan
- Look up the address on the Town’s reclaimed water map and save a screenshot.
- Ask the seller for 12 months of utility bills, the reclaimed meter ID, and backflow test records.
- Walk the property to spot purple pipe, valve covers, and reclaimed signage. Photograph what you find.
- Call Cary 311 to confirm current service status, any scheduled maintenance, and connection steps if needed.
- If you plan a conversion, request a field evaluation for a precise connection estimate and timeline.
When to loop in your agent
If reclaimed water is part of a property’s value story, you want the details documented early. Your agent can help you frame cost savings, confirm compliance, and negotiate for inspections or repairs tied to backflow, labeling, or connection work. A clear reclaimed water narrative helps buyers and sellers move forward with confidence.
Ready to align property details with your goals? For research‑driven guidance and a calm, client‑centered process, connect with Shenandoah Nieuwsma.
FAQs
How do I confirm a Cary address is in a reclaimed water service area?
- Use the Town’s interactive reclaimed water map to search the address, or call Cary 311 for help if the map is unclear. Open the map here.
Does reclaimed irrigation change my drought watering schedule in Cary?
- Yes. The Town’s reclaimed water FAQ notes that reclaimed irrigation customers are exempt from the alternate‑day watering rule. See details in the FAQ here.
What paperwork should I request when buying a Cary home with reclaimed irrigation?
- Ask for 12 months of utility bills showing reclaimed usage, backflow test reports, irrigation permits or compliance statements, and photos or labels confirming purple reclaimed infrastructure. The Town’s backflow program information is available here.
How much does it cost to connect a home to reclaimed water in Cary?
- Costs vary by site and include the Town’s tap and meter fees, a backflow assembly, and any plumbing changes. The Town calculates fees after a field evaluation. See the connection policy here.
Is reclaimed water safe for everyday yard use around families and pets?
- Reclaimed water is treated for non‑potable uses like irrigation but is not for drinking. Follow labeling and separation rules and keep cross‑connections out of your potable plumbing. Learn more from the Town’s program page here.
