Colorado River Sewer System Joint Venture To Upgrade Wastewater System

Recently, the Colorado River Sewer System Joint Venture, located in Parker, Ariz. entered into an agreement with the EPA to upgrade their wastewater treatment system to meet stringent water quality standards. The cost of the upgrade is approximately $100,000.

The upgrades include the design and construction of a new artificial wetlands treatment system. The artificial wetlands will be capable of advanced treatment and nutrient removal to protect the downstream water quality of the Colorado River. Artificial wetlands restore habitats for native flora and fauna. Like natural wetlands, artificial wetlands also filter impurities.

In this case, the Colorado River Sewer System Joint Venture could not adequately treat nutrients and other contaminants in wastewater discharging into a Colorado River tributary. The system treats wastewater from the town of Parker and the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation. The upgrades are expected to be complete by 2017.

For more information on National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems, please visit:http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/