Yavapai-Apache nation builds water reclamation plant to protect Verde River

PHOENIX — The Yavapai-Apache Nation is building a water reclamation facility to replace open sewage lagoons and protect the Verde River, a vital water source for Phoenix managed by the Salt River Project (SRP).

The project is critical for the tribe’s survival, according to Yavapai-Apache Nation Chairman Buddy Rocha Jr.

“The Verde River being the most important resource that we have in this Verde Valley and how critical it is to … contributors along the Verde River,” Rocha said.

He also said the facility near Middle Verde will help keep the river clean and sustainable.

How will water reclamation facility keep Verde River clean?

The new facility will be one of the few large-scale wastewater treatment plants on the north side of the watershed. It will also benefit Camp Verde by reducing the number of septic tanks along the Verde River through a centralized system.

“We will have the capacity to potentially connect to other exterior residences so we can get rid of some of those septic tanks,” Rocha explained.

The goal of the reclamation plant is to replace outdated open sewage lagoons, a system that dates back to Roman times.

Rocha said they need to be replaced.

“We’re in a floodplain. And to have those lagoon systems near a floodplain is … irresponsible planning,” he said.

Water reclamation facility will also help with conservation efforts

The reclamation plant will help conserve Verde River water by treating and repurposing it as high-quality reclaimed water for reuse.

This increased capacity will allow tribal leaders to expand development across the Nation by supporting housing, infrastructure, and economic growth.

“Growth is so important, residential growth, economic growth,” Rocha said. “It’s going to have so many various impacts where we can continue to sustain that growth.”

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