News

• The project will provide improved services for 100% of the wastewater system's existing 1,032 residential connections

Willcox, Arizona – Today, the City of Willcox, Arizona hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that will improve the quality of the effluent discharged to the Cochise Lake, an impaired water body, and reduce any health risks associated with environmental deterioration and ground and surface water contamination.

With an estimated cost of US$11.3 million, this project is receiving a US$4.61 million grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF), which is administered by the North American Development Bank (NADB). The City of Willcox is also receiving loan and grant funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development to cover the rest of the costs. The project was certified by the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) on May 14, 2015.

Mike Laws, Willcox Mayor, Renata Manning, the Director of Grant Project Development and Implementation from NADB and BECC, Jeff Hooper, Community Program Specialist from the USDA, Amanda E. Stone, representing the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Alesia Ash, from the Office of Congresswoman Martha McSally, along with other local representatives presided over the groundbreaking ceremony.

The improvement works include changing the current lagoon system to an oxidation ditch process to meet the City’s current and future needs, as well as modernizing the operation and maintenance building.

The upgraded facility will be in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and additionally, the project will allow the City to continue reusing the treated wastewater at the golf course, rather than potable water resources for that purpose.