Wastewater Processed Into Drinking Water as Phoenix Reopens Plant 14 Years and $30M Later

After being closed for 14 years, Phoenix invested $30 million to rebuild the treatment plant, which can convert 8 million gallons of wastewater per day into drinking water.

Phoenix, Arizona Processes 8M Gallons of Wastewater

Phoenix is one of the cities with the highest population growth in the nation, and the city wants to make sure that its water supply doesn't dry up as more people move in. The Phoenix City Council gave the go-ahead last week to spend $30 million on building the Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant. The building was abandoned for about 14 years. The city of Phoenix's assistant director for water services, Nazario Prieto, stated that the recession or slow growth rate that occurred from late 2006 to early 2008 prevented the planned expansion from occurring.

Prior to its closure, the facility recycled wastewater and delivered it to significant grass clients, including golf courses and educational institutions. The plant will now be temporarily reopened by the city with the same operations.

According to Prieto, the city intends to restart this plant with the same capacity of eight million gallons per day.

Safe and Reliable Drinking Water

The city plans to put its first cutting-edge water filtration technology to the test starting in 2030. This technology will assist in producing safe and reliable drinking water from wastewater. Prieto emphasized the need for desert communities to take every precaution to act as responsible stewards. Prieto believes that everyone will profit if individuals can take the next step and use recycled water in the most advantageous ways.

According to Prieto, work on the water facility will likely begin at the end of 2023 or the beginning of next year. He estimates that this project will cost more than $300 million, even though the City Council only sanctioned $30 million for development.

Arizona's 2021 Water Resource Plan

Every five years or so, the City of Phoenix changes its water resource plan. These frequent updates make sure that there are adequate infrastructure and water resources to meet present and future demand, both during normal times and during droughts.

According to the 2021 Water Resource Plan, Phoenix has enough water supplies to last for the next 50 years and beyond in the majority of conceivable scenarios. Due to planned conservation efforts and infrastructure improvements, these resources will probably be used up even more quickly.

Phoenix has always struggled with the problems of rapid urbanization and a dry climate as a prosperous desert city. Phoenix inhabitants may now enjoy a lifestyle that is abundant with high-quality water for drinking and other critical uses thanks to effective supply management, an extensive portfolio, and major conservation successes over the years.

Phoenix has witnessed tremendous development over the past few decades, as well as dry spells, but the city has never had to impose water usage restrictions owing to a lack of supplies, and it doesn't anticipate having to do so anytime soon. The City is committed to providing the water required to fulfill your demand and is ready for the future.

In addition to assessing growth and drought conditions, the 2021 Water Resource Plan took into account the most recent scientific findings regarding the potential effects of global climate change on our water supply.