Scottsdale and Phoenix figureheads say ADEQ proposal supports smart growth
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recently announced new draft rules for the Grand Canyon State’s advanced water purification program — a new set of standards lauded by figureheads in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Scottsdale Water is a considered a leader in the field of advanced water purification as in September 2019, the Advanced Water Treatment Facility at the Scottsdale Water Campus became the first permanent water treatment facility permitted by ADEQ to treat recycled water for direct potable water reuse in Arizona, which is one of only three such facilities in the nation.
“Success in Scottsdale is seen throughout our community and water stability propels our desert lifestyle,” Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega said in a prepared statement. “I commend our team of experts at the Scottsdale Water Department for their trailblazing work to enlarge our water portfolio and successfully demonstrate our full-scale, advanced water purification operations.”
The Scottsdale Water Campus is recognized nationally as the premier Arizona water campus and last legislative session Mayor Ortega welcomed a bipartisan group of Arizona state legislators to tour the facility.
“I applaud efforts at the state level to encourage water providers to expand their water portfolios utilizing new technologies,” Mayor Ortega said of the new draft standards. “The Scottsdale Water Campus serves as a model to those seeking to implement an advanced water purification program.”
The AWT facility takes highly purified, recycled water and injects it into the underground aquifer for future retrieval. That purified water is injected into a series of dry wells where it flows through an additional four-hundred feet of natural filtration before reaching our drinking water aquifer or is sent to the Scottsdale Reclaimed Water Distribution System. Scottsdale recharges nearly 2 billion gallons of purified recycled water annually to replenish our water supply.
Scottsdale Water aims to deliver advanced purified water to customers on a larger scale beginning in the 2026/27 fiscal year. Of note, several reservoir and water management agreements governing the operation of Colorado River facilities and management of the Colorado River are scheduled to expire at the end of 2026 and must be renegotiated.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego echoes similar sentiments of support.
Officials at Phoenix City Hall say the municipality is actively working to advance its own advance water treatment facilities.
Officials at Phoenix City Hall report in collaboration with neighboring communities the municipality plans to build a state-of-the-art regional AWP plant at the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant by 2030, which could produce 60 million gallons of potable water daily, providing enough water for 200,000 households.
“This project is a crucial step in securing our water future and reducing our reliance on the Colorado River,” Mayor Gallego said in a prepared statement on the new draft rules at ADEQ. “By investing in advanced water purification, we are ensuring a sustainable water supply for generations to come. We are excited to support ADEQ’s efforts and lead the way in innovative water management.”
In addition to the 91st Avenue plant, Phoenix is exploring the potential of the Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant to serve as an AWP facility, Phoenix officials say.
“The advanced water purification technology we are implementing will set a new standard for water treatment in the region,” Phoenix Water Services Director Troy Hayes said. “By treating and reusing wastewater, we can provide a reliable and safe water source that meets all drinking water standards. This project exemplifies our dedication to sustainability and resource management.”
