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Tucson Water reports PFAS remediation projects, federal funding commitments and legal work
Summary
Tucson Water on Feb. 19 reported progress on PFAS response projects, sampling results, intergovernmental funding and ongoing legal and interagency work to limit PFAS impacts to the potable system.
Tucson Water presented its quarterly PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) update to the City Council on Feb. 19, describing sampling, site work, treatment projects and intergovernmental funding and litigation matters.
Water officials said the utility has taken a precautionary approach to protect the potable water system: 22 wells have been proactively removed from service over recent years and the use of eight additional wells has been restricted to emergency use because of identified PFAS in parts of the aquifer. Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, Tucson Water collected and tested 286 samples for PFAS.
Tucson Water staff outlined several active projects: - Randolph Park Groundwater Treatment Facility: a new well and PFAS treatment facility intended to capture plume migration and reuse treated water for irrigation at a golf course. The project is funded in part by $6.7 million from 2022 system conservation proceeds and an additional $2,250,000 from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. Work is underway; the well as of late 2024 had not yet developed the planned extraction capacity and staff are working with ADEQ on alternatives to increase extraction. - Tucson Airport Remediation Project (TARP): staff reported the project’s final pretreatment design was completed in mid‑2024, field construction began Jan. 6, 2025, and the project has a total estimated cost near $26.7 million, with substantial state funding. Construction is scheduled for completion in December 2026. Tucson Water said it continues to work with the Tucson Airport Authority and the U.S. Air Force on PFAS‑related costs and billing. - Air Force Plant 44 (Phase 1 and 2 assessments): the Air Force contractor is characterizing the site; a final remedial investigation report is expected in December 2025 and a long‑term groundwater treatment plant design contract awarded in 2024 aims for completion around 2028.
Tucson Water said it is a potential member of a proposed settlement in national product‑liability litigation and that the court has granted preliminary approval of a proposed settlement between certain defendants and municipal water providers; the city attorney’s office is reviewing settlement terms against the city’s claims and will brief council when that analysis concludes.
City officials also discussed federal system conservation funding that supports some water projects and noted some funds remain subject to federal actions the city is monitoring. Managers emphasized that advanced‑water‑purification project funding (noted in the meeting materials at about $86–87 million) remains contracted and staff intend to proceed while seeking confirmation of federal obligations.
Ending: Tucson Water staff said they would continue to collaborate with ADEQ, federal agencies and local partners, and will return to council with updates on remedial investigations, treatment construction progress and any settlement developments.
