The Bureau of Reclamation is investing nearly $200 million in water reuse projects in Arizona and Utah, reinforcing its commitment to long-term sustainability in the Colorado River Basin.
A $179 million investment in the city’s North Gateway Advanced Water Purification Facility is part of an agreement being finalized with the City of Phoenix in Arizona. Phase 1, which will treat 8 million gallons of effluent per day for direct reuse—equivalent to more than 7,500 acre-feet of additional water annually—will be designed and built with the help of this funding. The project will guarantee a consistent supply of reclaimed water for various applications while also enhancing the quality of the water.
“Increased water recycling, reuse, and conservation are essential to address long-term drought in the Colorado River Basin,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Scott Cameron. “We commend Phoenix and the State of Arizona for their commitment to sustainable water management, including recent legislation that promotes further conservation.”
The Washington County Water Conservancy District in Utah will receive $20.6 million from Reclamation to develop its regional reuse system in the southwest of the state. With funding from Reclamation’s Large-Scale Water Recycling Program, the project will treat and reuse wastewater to produce a local, drought-proof water source.
Additionally, Reclamation will soon announce a $130 million funding opportunity for new large-scale recycling projects.
“These projects, which incentivize conservation at scale, are critical given the persistent drought in the Colorado River Basin,” said Acting Commissioner David Palumbo. “By turning previously unusable water sources into reliable supplies, communities can significantly boost their water resilience.”
Source : Global Flow Control
