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Reclaimed Water
What am I looking at?
The purple structure in front of you controls the flow of reclaimed water onto the University of
Arizona. The U of A campus uses reclaimed water for irrigation and for evaporative cooling of campus
facilities. Look for the purple Reclaimed Water signs throughout the campus..
What is Reclaimed Water?
Reclaimed water is wastewater treated to a high level, making it suitable for plant irrigation
or commercial/ industrial uses. However, because it is not treated to drinking water standards, if
you come into contact with reclaimed water, you should wash the area with soap and water.
Why use Reclaimed Water?
Wastewater is the only water resource that grows in proportion to population. It makes good sense to recycle as much of
this valuable supply as possible. Using reclaimed water saves potable, or drinking water that would otherwise be used for
irrigation or industrial activities.
How Is Reclaimed Water Created and Delivered?
Pima County’s Roger Road Wastewater Treatment Facility treats wastewater. Some of this wastewater is piped into a Tucson Water
treatment plant. Treated wastewater is also piped to recharge basins. The recharged water is recovered through wells and mixed with the
water produced at the plant. The combined water is disinfected and delivered to the Tucson metropolitan area.
Reclaimed water is delivered through a separate system of more than 100 miles of pipeline and reservoirs. In contrast, the
drinking water system includes more than 4000 miles of pipeline and dozens of reservoirs.
The University of Arizona Saves Drinking Water for All of Tucson!
Groundwater is a precious natural resource, and particularly so in our desert community. Groundwater levels
in and around Tucson have been declining for decades. All of us must do our part to reduce the use of this
precious resource and preserve our environment for future generations. The University is committed to this
stewardship ethic, and is a role model for the community in this area.
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