Overview
PCRWRD Avra Valley WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving approximately 31,334 people in Pima County, Arizona. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework.
PCRWRD Avra Valley WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Pima County, Arizona, serving an estimated population of 31,334. The plant is situated in the Avra Valley area west of Tucson, within the Sonoran Desert region. As a US-based facility serving a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with potential additional nutrient removal depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges to a local watercourse that drains into the Santa Cruz River or the Rillito River system, eventually reaching the Gila River and the Colorado River. This arid region relies heavily on water reclamation for groundwater recharge and ecosystem support.
Environmental context
The plant is located in the Sonoran Desert watershed, where water resources are scarce. Treated effluent likely supports local riparian habitats along the Santa Cruz River or its tributaries, which are critical for migratory birds and native fish species. The downstream flow contributes to the Gila River basin, ultimately reaching the Colorado River and the Gulf of California.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Pima County, Arizona, in the Avra Valley area west of Tucson, at 10000 West Snyder Hill Road.
The plant serves approximately 31,334 people in the Avra Valley and surrounding areas of Pima County.
The treated effluent likely discharges to a local watercourse that feeds into the Santa Cruz River or Rillito River system, supporting groundwater recharge and riparian habitats in the arid Sonoran Desert.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality or the EPA.
Plants of this scale in Arizona typically employ secondary treatment with disinfection, and often include advanced treatment for nutrient removal to protect sensitive desert waterways and enable water reuse.
Nearby plants