Frequently Asked Questions on Reclaimed Water

What is reclaimed water?: Reclaimed water is the product of an advanced treatment process that cleans wastewater. This treatment process produces water that is ideal for plant irrigation and other commercial/industrial uses. The nitrogen and phosphorus in the water provide excellent fertilizers for ornamental plants and turf grass.
What if my children or I come into contact with reclaimed water?: The reclaimed water produced and delivered by Tucson Water is classified by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as Class A water. Incidental contact with water of this quality is not harmful. Practice good hygiene – wash with soap and water from a potable faucet if you come in contact with reclaimed water.
Can my dog drink reclaimed water?: The reclaimed water produced and delivered by Tucson Water through our reclaimed water system is classified by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as Class A water. Class A and lower qualities of reclaimed water may be used for livestock watering, including dairy animals.; The Code does not specifically mention dogs or other household pets. Although we know dogs sometimes drink out of puddles and other unsanitary places without apparent ill effects, Tucson Water recommends providing household pets with drinking water from your indoor faucets.
What if my children or I have consumed reclaimed water?: The reclaimed water produced and delivered by Tucson Water is classified by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as Class A water. If you or your child have consumed some of this water, it is unlikely to cause ill effects. However, watch for signs of illness, most likely, but not limited to gastrointestinal upset, for ten days after the reclaimed water has been consumed. If an infant less than six months old has ingested reclaimed water, watch for blue baby syndrome - blue lips or under the fingernails - or trouble breathing.; If you or your child do get sick, be sure to tell your medical provider that reclaimed water was ingested. They will be able to determine if the illness is related to the water.
Can reclaimed water be used to water fruit trees and vegetable gardens?: The reclaimed water produced and delivered by Tucson Water is classified by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as Class A water. Class A water may be used for the irrigation of food crops. Be sure to wash all produce prior to eating or cooking.
Why don’t all of the local golf courses use reclaimed water?: There are 35 golf courses in the Tucson Active Management Area. Thirteen use reclaimed water. Although the City and Pima County have policies and ordinances requiring new golf courses to irrigate with reclaimed water or other renewable supplies, there are several reasons not all of the existing courses have converted to reclaimed water.; Existing courses that do not use reclaimed water irrigate with groundwater. Some of these courses are served by municipal or private water providers. Others pump their own groundwater. Those that pump their own groundwater do so under rights granted to them by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The City of Tucson/Tucson Water has no legal authority to prohibit these right holders from pumping groundwater.; Some of the courses are located too far from a source of reclaimed water. And many that pump their own groundwater do it at a cost that is much less than the reclaimed water rate.