Arizona’s New Water Regulations: Purified Wastewater May Soon Flow from the Tap

As Arizona continues to navigate long-term drought and rapid population growth, a significant shift in water policy is taking shape. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has adopted new rules that allow for direct reuse of highly purified wastewater as drinking water—a first for the state.

This regulatory change sets the stage for cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson to begin implementing systems that recycle wastewater into potable water through advanced purification technologies. These systems are designed to meet some of the most rigorous water safety standards in the country.

What Is Direct Potable Reuse?

The process, known as Advanced Water Purification (AWP), uses a multi-step approach that includes:

Microfiltration or ultrafiltration Reverse osmosis Ultraviolet light disinfection Advanced oxidation processes

Together, these steps remove bacteria, viruses, chemicals, pharmaceutical residues, and other potential contaminants—even those from medications or vaccines that may be present in urine or waste. The result is water that meets or exceeds current drinking water standards.

Where Is This Happening?

Scottsdale has been researching this type of reuse since 2012 and expects to meet the new standards by 2029.

Phoenix is currently building a facility at the Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant and plans to begin recharging purified water into aquifers by 2027.

Tucson is targeting 2031 to bring its own direct potable reuse system online.

Monitoring and Oversight

Under the new regulations, facilities must perform real-time water quality testing, often as frequently as every 15 minutes. ADEQ will oversee compliance and conduct regular inspections to ensure the safety of the drinking water produced.

Community Reactions and Public Perception

While many residents support the move as a proactive response to water scarcity, others are hesitant about the idea of drinking treated wastewater. Concerns range from the “ick factor” to questions about long-term health impacts, even though experts say the treated water is often cleaner than bottled water.

Cities plan to address these concerns through transparency, public tours, and education campaigns to help people better understand how the systems work and what safeguards are in place.

What This Means for Arizona

Whether viewed as a necessary innovation or a topic that warrants closer scrutiny, this change represents a major evolution in how Arizona manages its most vital resource. As these systems are built and implemented, Arizonans will have the opportunity to learn more and form their own opinions about this approach to water reuse.