COB Policy on Use of Reclaimed Water.pdf

City of Buckeye Water Policy
Title: City of Buckeye Policy on Reclaimed Water Number:
Drafted by: Terry Lowe, Water Resources Director Date: April 20, 2026
Revised by: Date:
I. INTRODUCTION
The City of Buckeye is committed to developing and maintaining sustainable water
resources that are strategically planned, cost effective, and designed to extend the
long-term viability of the city’s water portfolio.
Reclaimed water is a critical component of the city’s water supply. It provides
substantial value by offsetting groundwater withdrawals used for potable water
treatment, reducing reliance on drinking water for non-potable uses, and bolstering
the city’s recharge to the aquifer and long-term water storage. As such, it is the
city’s priority to fully develop and utilize this resource to ensure that 100% of its
effluent is used to beneficially within the city’s water portfolio.
The purpose of this policy is to guide the city’s planning, development, and growth
decisions to achieve these objectives in a timely, efficient, and fiscally responsible
manner.
II. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this policy, the following definitions shall apply:
Area of Impact (AOI): The geographic area influenced by groundwater pumping
from a water well and where recharge activities may provide hydrologic benefit.
Assured Water Supply: A legal determination by the Arizona Department of Water
Resources (ADWR) that sufficient, continuously, legally, and physically available
water supplies exist to meet projected demand for at least one hundred (100) years.
Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD): An entity that
provides groundwater replenishment to offset excess groundwater pumping by its
members and participants.
Central Arizona Project (CAP): A system of canals, pipelines, and related
infrastructure that delivers Colorado River water throughout central and southern
Arizona.
Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS): Formal designation issued by
ADWR confirming that a municipal water provider has sufficient water supplies to
serve its service area for at least one hundred (100) years.
Effluent: Treated wastewater or reclaimed water that may be reused for recharge,
irrigation, industrial, or other non-potable or potable purposes, as allowed by law.
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Extinguishment Credits (ECs): Rights to access groundwater based on the
permanent retirement of irrigated agricultural land. Groundwater replenishment is
not required. ECs are generally considered a one-time-use asset.
Groundwater Savings Facility (GSF): A facility or arrangement that allows
groundwater to remain in storage by substituting another water source for
groundwater pumping.
Integrated Water Master Plan (IWMP): A City Council-adopted comprehensive
planning document that identifies current and future water supply, infrastructure,
and resource needs.
Long-Term Storage Credits (LTSCs): Credits represent water legally stored
underground for future recovery. LTSCs are generally considered a one-time-use
asset.
Non-Irrigation Grandfathered Right (Type I): A groundwater right associated
with retired irrigated land or other qualifying uses that may be transferred subject to
statutory limitations.
Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA): The groundwater management region
designated by the State of Arizona in which Buckeye is located and subject to
specific groundwater regulations.
Recharge: The process of storing water underground for future recovery or aquifer
replenishment.
Renewable Water Supply: Water supplies that are naturally or contractually
replenished, such as CAP water, reclaimed water, or surface water.
Underground Storage Facility (USF): A permitted facility used to recharge water
into an aquifer for long-term storage.
Water Portfolio: The total combination of the City’s water supplies, water rights,
credits, infrastructure, and related programs used to meet current and future demand.
III. RELATED POLICIES
a. Water Conservation
b. Water Acquisition and Funding
c. Strategic Water Planning
d. Water Allocations for Designation of Assured Water Supply Areas
IV. PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND GROWTH
a. All effluent produced within the city’s service area shall be owned by the city
and managed as an integral component of the city’s overall water portfolio.
Unless otherwise agreed to by city and developer.
b. The city’s Integrated Water Master Plan (IWMP), updated every five years, shall
identify the most efficient strategies for expanding the city’s use of reclaimed
water. The IWMP shall also:
i. Project water demands, and wastewater generation, and opportunities for
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both direct and indirect uses of reclaimed water use; and
ii. Forecast infrastructure requirements for the distribution of reclaimed
water.
c. The city’s Economic Development Department shall prioritize prospective
businesses that:
i. Propose to locate within areas identified by the IWMP as suitable for
expansion of the city’s reclaimed water activities; and
ii. Demonstrate a willingness to participate in the funding, development, or
construction of reclaimed water infrastructure as identified by the IWMP.
d. Planning for water reuse projects shall be based on the availability of reclaimed
water and its overall benefit to the city’s water portfolio. The city shall review
and update, as needed, applicable ordinances and standards governing reclaimed
water use on an annual basis.
e. The city shall update policies, ordinances, and standards as required to
accommodate growth and to ensure compliance with county, state, and federal
regulations.
f. When applicable, the city shall recommend or consider recommendations from
external stakeholders for the use of reclaimed water in non-potable industrial and
commercial applications.
g. The city shall design, construct, and operate water reclamation facilities to
produce reclaimed water to meet Class A Reclaimed Water or higher level of
quality.
h. Reclaimed water connections and pipeline extensions shall be designed and
constructed in accordance with the City of Buckeye Engineering Design
Standards.
i. The city shall encourage the use of reclaimed water and other non-potable
sources where appropriate and feasible.
V. PRIORITY USES
The city shall implement the following prioritized approach for the beneficial use or
lawful disposal of reclaimed water:
1. Groundwater Recharge or Indirect Reuse. The city shall prioritize the
recharge of reclaimed water to augment groundwater supplies, with recharge
activities occurring within areas of impact of the city’s recovery/potable
wells as identified in the IWMP.
2. Direct Reuse: Where feasible, the city shall provide reclaimed water to
customers for non-potable applications, including but not limited to
landscape irrigation, to reduce demand on potable water supplies.
3. Industrial and Commercial Use: The city shall support alternative uses of
potable water where appropriate for replacement with reclaimed water. This
includes industrial and commercial uses, including but not limited to process
water, car washes, commercial laundry, and retail nurseries.
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4. Emergency Discharge: As a last resort, the city may utilize an Arizona
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permit to legally dispose
of reclaimed water at designated emergency discharge locations within the
Hassayampa River or Gila River basins.
VI. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
As part of its ongoing conservation education and outreach program, the city shall
promote awareness on the value of reclaimed water, including its quality, benefits,
and the public perception. The city shall support and, where applicable, promote the
use of Reclaimed Water by customers who wish to convert from potable sources to
non-potable sources for uses such as landscaping and commercial or industrial
processes.
VII. REGIONAL PARTICIPATION
The city shall remain engaged in regional, state, and national initiatives related to
reclaimed water management to remain informed of evolving practices,
technologies, and regulatory developments. The city shall maintain a collaborative
relationship with the WaterReuse Association to support these efforts.
The city shall seek opportunities to collaborate with regional partners, including
Arizona Public Service (APS), neighboring municipalities, and irrigation districts to
maximize the re-use possibilities of the city’s reclaimed water supply.
VIII. REFERENCE
The City of Buckeye produces Class A effluent.
The Arizona Department of Health and Human Services adopted the state’s first
rules to govern the use of reclaimed water (effluent) within its boundaries. The rules
have since been expanded to define effluent end users, effluent classes per user types,
and requirements to ensure effluent meets health and public safety standards.
Pursuant to Arizona Administrative code §18-11, reclaimed water is classified for
specific end uses as follows:
1. Class A Effluent – Permitted for residential, schoolground, and open access
landscape irrigation.
2. Class B Effluent – Permitted for golf courses, restricted access landscape
irrigation, and landscape impoundments.
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