As cities across the country continue to experience growth, the obvious question for many is whether the existing resources, such as the water supply, are sufficient to support the growth. Many cities are growing so rapidly that they overload the available water resources. How do you support growth in locations that face water scarcity on a regular basis, like a desert?
Chandler, Arizona, located in the Sonoran Desert and considered a suburb of Phoenix, has demonstrated the ability to navigate water scarcity with the power of foresight. As the city has grown, planners have considered the importance of water availability and have incorporated ideas that protect the water sources. Perhaps most significant to the community is the reclaimed water system that captures and recycles wastewater for reuse. The system is comprised of pipes that convey wastewater back to one of three reclamation facilities where it is treated and then returned to the community for use in agriculture, industry, landscape and golf course irrigation, as well as aquifer recharge. Currently, the city has approximately 93 miles of pipe to deliver reclaimed water, and the city code mandates that any development in areas with access to the reclaimed water system must connect to it.
Greg Capp, the water resources manager for the city, says, “Here in Chandler we have a saying, ‘use every drop we can twice.’”[1] The planning and foresight that make reclamation a reality have enabled Chandler to continue to grow with the confidence that their water supply can meet the needs of the community in the future.
[1] City of Chandler. “Reclaimed Water Essential to Chandler’s Growth.” SanTan Sun News, 5 Sept. 2019, santansun.com/2019/09/05/reclaimed-water-essential-to-chandlers-growth/.
Photo Credit: John Loo, Flickr
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