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Regional Optimization Master Plan (ROMP)

What is the Regional Optimization Master Plan (ROMP)?

ROMP is a master plan to allow the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD) to meet current environmental regulatory requirements mandated by the Clean Water Act.

What is RWRD planning?

RWRD is working to meet new environmental requirements mandated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). ADEQ regulates our activities and the way we convey and treat the community’s sewage. ADEQ has directed us to meet more stringent water quality standards for our effluent. These standards are based on mandates set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Clean Water Act.

What new standards does RWRD have to meet?

ADEQ is mandating that RWRD decrease the amount of nitrogen and ammonia in our effluent.

Why is it important to decrease nitrogen and ammonia levels in effluent?

Although nitrogen is helpful in plant growth, it is harmful to aquatic life. Additionally, effluent that is discharged into the Santa Cruz River can percolate into our groundwater and increase nitrogen and ammonia levels in the aquifer. Although small levels of nitrogen naturally exist in the aquifer, high levels of nitrogen in drinking water can be harmful to children and unborn babies. No local water providers draw from the groundwater near the Roger Road and Ina Road facilities, and the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department performs regular monitoring of the groundwater in these areas.

What does Pima County intend to do to meet new standards?

With a number of community partners (the City of Tucson, the Town of Oro Valley, and others), RWRD has developed the Regional Optimization Master Plan (ROMP). The ROMP will change how we manage and treat the community’s sewage.

Proposed Water Reclamation Campus

Proposed 32 mgd Water Reclamation Campus (Higher resolution schematic)

Ina Road - proposed 50 mgd plant

Proposed Ina Road 50 mgd Water Reclamation Facility (Higher resolution schematic)

Publications

Project Information for Consultants and Contractors

Procurement Information for Consultants and Contractors

ROMP Highlights

RWRD Receives NACWA National Environmental Achievement Award for ROMP

NACWA Environmental Achievement Award

In July 2010, the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department received the National Association of Clean Water Agency’s 2010 National Environmental Achievement Award in the Operations and Environmental Performance category for the Regional Optimization Master Plan. The Department received this prestigious award at NACWA’s Summer Conference & 40th Anniversary in San Francisco, CA, on Wednesday, July 21, 2010.

Archaeology Project at the Ina Road WRF

Archeology dig at Ina Road WRF

Before start of ROMP construction at the Ina Road WRF, Desert Archaeology (working with Pima County Cultural Resources) conducted an extensive archaeology dig on the site to document prehistoric Native American settlements. The archaeological work revealed a network of canals and fields from the San Pedro Period (1250 B.C. – 800 B.C.). The findings document an early sedentary agricultural settlement that includes the oldest known irrigation system in North America. The 60-acre excavation, called Las Capas (The Layers), won an award from Archaeology Magazine as one of the top 10 discoveries of 2009. View a slideshow about Las Capas and information from Desert Archaeology.

Solar Facility

Solar Facility

Pima County has constructed a 1-megawatt solar facility at the Water Reclamation Campus. The facility is capable of producing over 55 million Kw/hrs during its expected 30-year life and will provide energy for the new wastewater facility north of the current Roger Road WRF. View News Release.

More ROMP Updates

Detailed current information about the ROMP program can be found in the minutes of the Regional Wastewater Management Advisory Committee.