City commissioners will discuss whether to vote in favor of the recommendation at a commission meeting tonight. But city officials say they are looking at the long-term picture, and by their math, Largo will recoup the connection fee costs through monthly use of the system. City officials said they did not know what percentage of residents eligible to hook up to Largo's reclaimed water system have done so. Clearwater and Pinellas County do not charge a connection fee. Not all of Largo is connected to reclaimed water, which is highly treated sewage and not suitable to drink.
Several neighborhoods get reclaimed water, and five others are in the process of receiving it.
Residents outside those areas who want reclaimed water must turn in a petition signed by at least 75 percent of residents in a neighborhood or subdivision. Patrick McDonnell, a retired U.S. Army colonel who lives in one of the neighborhoods that is being connected to the city's system, led a successful petition drive to get reclaimed water in the Bluffs Drive area. A handful of his neighbors said they would rather rely on their wells. All rights reserved.