SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 13, 2015 -- In an effort to meet stringent water quality standards, the Colorado River Sewer System Joint Venture, located in the town of Parker, Ariz., entered into an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday, March 12, to upgrade its wastewater treatment system.
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 (see "Artificial wetlands can provide long-term benefits, study finds").
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 cost of the upgrades is approximately $100,000. They are expected to be complete by 2017.
See also:
"Water conservation campaign restores 10 million gallons of water to CO River"
"New report recommends effective water solutions in CO River Basin"
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