Peoria outlines reclaimed-water loops, new wells and early study of advanced water purification
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Summary
City staff detailed a multi-pronged water-security approach: expanding reclaimed-water conveyance (Reclaimed Loop 2), drilling production and test wells near the CAP corridor and commissioning a feasibility study on advanced water purification; staff estimated advanced purification would cost far more than the placeholder in the CIP.
City staff told Peoria council members that FY2026 will be a heavy year for water projects, including construction of a reclaimed-water conveyance loop, a program of new and rehabilitated wells, booster pump stations and an early-stage feasibility process for advanced water purification.
Reclaimed Loop 2 and conveyance Staff described Reclaimed Loop 2 as a project to connect the Beardsley wastewater reclamation plant with the Jomax (JOMAX) plant and extend reclaimed-water delivery to additional parks and irrigation customers. Design is underway, and staff said the project requires a jack-and-bore under the Loop 303 corridor and construction on both east and west sides of the freeway, meeting in the middle.
Wells and redundancy Staff said Peoria is pursuing multiple new well projects to provide groundwater redundancy if Central Arizona Project (CAP) surface allocations are reduced. Two sites at or near the Loop 303/diocesan property are in drilling now (test and production), and state land acquisitions are planned for two more well sites. Staff gave a working rule-of-thumb that a brand-new well costs about $6,000,000 all-in.
Booster stations and conveyance costs A zone booster pump station (zone 5b / 6c) was highlighted as part of the conveyance and zone-control needed to move water north or south to fill shortfalls or balance deliveries. Staff also noted the West Agua Fria well program and referenced planned rehab of several wells across the city.
Advanced water purification study Staff presented a feasibility study for advanced water purification — treating reclaimed water to potable standards — and warned that the placeholder in the CIP ($165,000,000) would not cover a full program. The staff estimate given at the study session was that a full advanced purification program (treatment plus conveyance and associated infrastructure) could ultimately be in the $1.2 billion–$1.5 billion range; staff said the $165 million number in the CIP is only an early placeholder and might represent a small fraction of total costs. Staff emphasized the need for long lead time, regional partnerships and detailed feasibility work before any policy decisions.
Why it matters Staff framed the work as sequential: secure redundancy (wells and boosters), increase reclaimed-water delivery (Reclaimed Loop 2) and, over time, evaluate advanced purification as a multiyear, high-cost investment to further secure potable supply. The city is pursuing state land acquisitions, right-of-way work and long-lead materials acquisition in FY2026 for several well projects.
Ending Council members were given the study and timing outlook for major water investments; staff said these programs will require multi-year funding, land acquisitions and likely debt or major grant support if advanced purification is pursued.
