Buckeye Western Regional WRF - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Maricopa County, Arizona

Buckeye Western Regional WRF is a planned advanced wastewater treatment facility located in Maricopa County, Arizona, within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Designed to serve a population of approximately 9,785, the plant will have a capacity of 946.35 megaliters per year, reflecting the region's growing water demand. The plant is designed for advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other contaminants. In the United States, such facilities typically operate under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, ensuring compliance with Clean Water Act standards for water quality and reuse. The treated effluent will likely be discharged to the Gila River watershed, which flows into the Colorado River and ultimately the Gulf of California. In Arizona's arid climate, advanced treatment supports water recycling and groundwater recharge, helping to sustain local ecosystems and agricultural water supplies.

The plant will discharge into the Gila River basin, a tributary of the Colorado River that drains to the Gulf of California. This watershed supports diverse riparian habitats and is critical for migratory birds. Advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality in a region facing water scarcity and high evaporation rates.