Tempe proceeds with bringing back Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility

Mayor Corey Woods recently signed an agreement that will allow Tempe to partner with the Army Corps of Engineers and use $3.45 million in federal funds to assist in ongoing efforts to rehabilitate, improve and reopen the Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility by 2027. 

Tempe plans to use this funding for small infrastructure projects necessary to reactivate the plant, such as the construction of a recharge well and recharge well pipelines, a city release explained.

The reclaimed water produced at Kyrene will improve Tempe’s drought resiliency, further diversify its water portfolio and increase its ability to store water in the aquifer. 

Currently, all of Tempe’s wastewater is treated and put to beneficial use at a jointly-owned 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant, the release stated. However, once Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility is reactivated, it will allow Tempe to locally treat additional wastewater and produce 4.5 million gallons of reclaimed water each day. 

“Tempe thanks Congressman Stanton for his help securing funds through the Water Resources Development Act and for his continued support of our community,” the release stated. 

Read more about Tempe's water and drought preparedness plans at tempe.gov/water.