Effective Odor Control & Responsive Community Relations In the Sonoran Desert

The Sun City West Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) is owned and operated by Citizens Utilities Company's water/wastewater operating sector, Citizens Water Resources (CWR). This 3.14 MGD plant serves the retirement community of Sun City West, Arizona in the upper reaches of the Sonoran Desert northwest of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The WRP is a secondary treatment facility using bar screens, preaeration basin, and two separate treatment trains entailing primary and final clarification, and trickling filtration. Effluent flows by gravity to two series operated aerated lagoons for temporary storage prior to being chlorine disinfected and pumped to a 128-acre recharge area south of the plant. Class B bio-solids are disposed of on-site in accordance with EPA/s 40 Part 503 sludge regulations. Process modifications are currently underway to convert the plant to a tertiary process using a solids contact basin and denitrification filter for removal of nitrates to ensure compliance with a state aquifer protection permit. This modification will also include the abandonment of the aerated lagoons.