Even with the Scottsdale Water Campus, home to the Water Department’s Advanced Water Treatment Facility, in the midst of a $30M upgrade, the City’s recycled water program will need nearly $51M more to meet current State of Arizona regulations.
In a program commonly referred to as “Toilet to Taps,” Scottsdale has undertaken an advanced water purification program that filters and treats wastewater to drinking water quality.
Scottsdale’s facility was the third in the country and first in the state to earn program approval. The Water Campus is one of the largest wastewater-to-drinkable water purification operations in the world and can treat as many as 20 million gallons/day to standards greater than those of bottled water.
In recent meetings, however, Scottsdale City Council was informed the recycled water program will need an additional $50M. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality produced updated rules for the program.
Scottsdale’s volunteer Budget Review Commission asked the City to examine the program and its cost estimates closely in initial recommendations submitted last month, since the budget proposed an increase from $17.0M to $67.7M to address the new regulatory requirements. The Commission advised performing a supplemental cost/benefit analysis.
Councilmembers Barry Graham and Jan Dubauskas agreed the matter would need to be examined closely. Member Kathy Littlefield agreed the additional $50M is substantial but praised the Department’s previous work and leadership and said recycling water was essential for Scottsdale’s ongoing survival.
Under the previous regulations, the Water Department had expected recycled water to be ready in 2027. Complying with the updated rules will push that to 2029 at the earliest, officials say.
Council Considering New Water Facilities
In other Scottsdale Water news, Council is considering a $21.7M request this week for new facilities that will include a new Water Quality lab building and renovations to current lab space to create more administrative office space.
Preliminary work is already underway, with Willmeng Construction as the general contractor. Council approved $3M for design services with Willmeng and Arrington Watkins Architects in 2023 and $7.2M for “Phase Zero” construction in 2024. (Source)
