\u201cLong term, it ensures that Phoenix residents have water security now well into the future,\u201d Nazario Prieto, assistant water services director for the Phoenix Water Services Department, told PHXTV<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cOver time, in the next 10 years, this will be an integral part of Phoenix\u2019s water resource portfolio,\u201d Prieto said.<\/p>\n The wastewater purification plant undergoes a yearlong test<\/p>\n Construction began in 2024 and the facility is expected to be completed by next year.<\/p>\n RELATED STORIES<\/p>\n Then, the plant will undergo a one-year demonstration period, where it will be used to recharge groundwater basins, to ensure it meets Arizona Department of Environmental Quality standards.<\/p>\n \u201cThis water, once it\u2019s treated, it\u2019s going to run through an entire reverse osmosis process,\u201d Prieto said.<\/p>\n He said the water is already highly treated before it reaches the reverse osmosis stage, having been filtered through multiple other processes.<\/p>\n The Cave Creek AWP plant will produce enough water to serve between 25,000 and 30,000 homes.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is really going to be the first large-scale plant. We\u2019re talking receiving 8 million gallons per day of wastewater to produce 6.75 million gallons a day of potable water,\u201d Prieto said.<\/p>\n The plant is expected to be fully operational by 2029, which is when direct potable reuse can begin. At that point, the treated water can go directly into the water distribution system.<\/p>\n Follow @heidi_hommel<\/a><\/p>\n We want to hear from you.<\/p>\n Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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