But new Texas Agricultural Experiment Station research shows few adverse effects when recycled water is used on turfgrass.

The findings are significant, researchers say, because it could help reduce daily demands from diminishing water supplies.

The study examined Type 1 recycled water, known as municipally treated wastewater, reclaimed water or effluent water. It’s frequently used to irrigate large turfgrass areas, helping to save higher quality surface and groundwater for potable water use.

Officials questioned whether customers on the recharge zone could use recycled water for irrigating turfgrass. Water officials’ main concern was whether unwanted nitrates would penetrate the recharge zone and threaten drinking water.

“Basically, the answer is yes,” scientist Jim Thomas said. “We found there were only slight increases in nitrates. We found it was reasonably safe to use on the location we studied. We had only a slight increase in the accumulation of salt and sodium in the soil.”

Results also revealed a slight increase in potassium in leaf tissue, and “a little increase in salt leaching down to the groundwater table,” Thomas said.

Thomas, who partnered on the study with Dr. Richard White, Experiment Station scientist, said Type 1 recycled water receiving the highest treatment is rated safe for incidental human contact.

Tifway Bermudagrass and Jamur zoysiagrass were used in the study. Samples of runoff water, leachate water, and soil and leaf tissue were collected monthly and tested for nine nutrients and total salts.

Both water sources were found to be capable of producing high quality, “aesthetically pleasing turf,” Thomas said, “when used with other appropriate management practices, such as proper mowing and nitrogen fertilization.”