The Treatment Division operates and maintains the treatment facilities that receive, treat, and dispose of over 62 million gallons per day (MGD) of sanitary sewage. Two major facilities handle sewage from the metropolitan Tucson area, and five facilities serve remote areas scattered throughout several areas of eastern Pima County.
Metropolitan Facilities
Agua Nueva WRF/Jacobs
Since December 16, 2013, the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD) has been diverting flows from the Roger Road WRF to the Agua Nueva WRF/Jacobs.
The Agua Nueva WRF/Jacobs is a new state-of-the-art water reclamation facility that will allow Pima County to meet new strict environmental standards for effluent discharges into the Santa Cruz River.
Tres Ríos WRF
The Tres Ríos Water Reclamation Facility serves the metropolitan Tucson area and treats approximately 30 million gallons of wastewater per day (MGD). The facility underwent a major upgrade and expansion as part of the Regional Optimization Master Plan. The modernized treatment plant complies with stringent regulatory requirements on effluent nutrient reduction and has a permitted capacity to treat 50 MGD which can meet the projected population needs to the year 2030.
Tres Ríos operates 24-hours per day, 365 days a year. It is the centralized biosolids treatment location for all of the Pima County treatment facilities. The facility is permitted for A+ reclaimed water through Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
Randolph Park WRF
On December 30, 2014, RWRD temporarily ceased operation of the Randolph Park WRF. Prior to this action, the department informed the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) of the temporary cessation. The department will continue to notify ADEQ of the facility’s status each year.
Although the Randolph Park WRF produced a very high-quality reclaimed water, the quality of reclaimed water produced at the Pima County’s new Agua Nueva and upgraded Tres Rios WRFs is also very high. The wastewater that had been treated at the Randolph Park facility is now being treated at the Agua Nueva and Tres Rios WRFs.
The cessation of operations at the Randolph Park WRF will result in significant operational cost savings. However, in the event the facility is needed in the future, the equipment and fixtures will be left in place after all tanks and other infrastructure at the facility have been cleaned.
All reclaimed water needs required by the City of Tucson for its reclaimed water system is being supplied by the Agua Nueva WRF.
Sub-Regional Facilities
Five outlying facilities serve smaller towns and rural areas of Pima County:
- Arivaca Junction WRF
- Avra Valley WRF
- Corona de Tucson WRF
- Green Valley WRF
- Mt. Lemmon WRF