Located in northern Phoenix, the Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant (CCWRP) Rehabilitation Project is going to bring a new and renewable source of purified drinking water to Phoenix water customers. Between​ 2000 and 2008, the plant delivered recycled water to parks and golf courses before being closed due to a drop in demand in the region. By 2026, the next generation of this plant will produce nearly 7 million gallons of purified water each day which is enough water to serve 25,000 households. The water will be used to supply the City’s recycled water customers for parks, schools, and golf courses, as well as to recharge groundwater. Groundwater recharge occurs when water seeps into the ground to replenish underground aquifers for later use. This project is setting the stage for similar projects planned in the region.

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​Above is a rendering of the future upgraded Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant, including a rendering of the facility that will purify recycled water to drinking water using (1) Reverse Osmosis and (2) UV Advanced Oxidation technologies.​

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What is Advanced Water Purification? ​

Advanced Water Purification (AWP) includes a combination of proven technologies that safely and efficiently purifies recycled wastewater into drinking water. The water produced is so clean it meets or exceeds federal and state drinking water requirements. 

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Upgrades to the Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant

The existing facility will be upgraded to include Advanced Water Purification​. During the demonstration period, the renewable water resource will be used to serve recycled water customers and to recharge groundwater supplies. When fully operational, the new water will then be available for use in the drinking water system.​

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How AWP at the CCWRP Works

Reverse Osmosis and Ultraviolet Advanced Oxidation are added to the improved CCWRP water recycling processes to destroy pathogens, remove chemicals, and disinfect the​​ water to bring the water to drinking water standards.​

​Why We Need Advanced Water Purification​

The greater Phoenix region relies on surface water, 98%, delivered primarily by the Colorado, Salt and Verde rivers through various canal systems. Groundwater is also part of Phoenix’s wat​er portfolio, and conservation efforts have helped to​ reduce the City’s reliance on surface ​water. While water conservation is a lifestyle in Phoenix, encouraging customers to think about water every time they use it, the City is investing ​in AWP to create a new, local and renewable supply of water that is less reliant on surface water.