NOTICETO ALL LANDOWNERS WITHIN THE DELIVERY AREA OF ROOSEVELT WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ROOSEVELT WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (“RWCD”) has entered into several agreements with other local agencies to accept in its canal reclaimed water, legally characterized as effluent. These agencies will treat the effluent so that it meets the requirements set by the State of Arizona for safe use for landscape irrigation and for irrigation of food crops, including those crops to be consumed raw. The effluent, at the time of delivery to RWCD’s canal system, will also meet the requirement(s) of those various entities’ reuse permits as issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The effluent will then be combined with the irrigation water in RWCD’s system for subsequent delivery to landowners within the RWCD’s exterior boundaries. Acceptance of the effluent provides high quality water and lessens the demand and use of our groundwater resources.

Even though the effluent will be treated to meet aquifer quality standards at the time of delivery to RWCD’s system, Arizona law imposes certain requirements for the reuse of the effluent. RWCD lands which are situated downstream from the effluent discharge point(s), will be subject to these requirements, if applicable:

  1. Irrigation of Orchard Crops and Crops Not Subject to Rotation. Irrigation shall be by a method which minimizes contact of the reclaimed wastewater with the fruit or foliage.
  2. Irrigation of Pastures. Pastures must be maintained to prevent incidental ponding or standing water except where local farming conditions and the use of accepted irrigation delivery systems and cropping patterns are such that, as an unavoidable consequence of such condition, systems, and patterns, there will be standing water.
  3. Irrigation of Landscaped Areas Including Public Playgrounds, Parks, Golf Courses and Other Areas Where Public Access is Not Restricted. (Private residences do not fall within these categories).
    • Hose bibs discharging reclaimed wastewater shall be secured to prevent any use by the public.
    • Irrigation pipe shall be color coded, buried with colored tape, or otherwise suitably marked to indicate non-potable water.
    • These areas shall be irrigated only at such times as to minimize contact with the public and be reasonably dry and free from standing water during normal usage periods.
    • Signs reading “Irrigated with reclaimed wastewater” or similar warnings shall be prominently displayed on the premises.

Neither the irrigation water delivered by RWCD nor the reclaimed wastewater that may be combined with RWCD’s irrigation water is to be used for drinking water purposes.

If you have any questions about this Notice, please contact:

Shane M. Leonard
Associate General Manager
Land & Water Resources
P.O. Box 100
Higley, Arizona 85236
Office: (480) 988-9586
Email: s.leonard@rwcd.net

If you would like a copy of the reuse rules referred to above, please contact Shane M. Leonard via the information provided.