2021 Aquarius Recognition Award presented to Marana Water.
MARANA - On February 16, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formally presented the Town of Marana with the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund 2021 Aquarius Recognition Award for the Picture Rocks & Airline Lambert Water Treatment Campus Projects. The award recognizes projects that demonstrate “Excellence in Community Engagement”, which occurs when the community is engaged in all aspects of the project.
In August of 2018, the Town of Marana Council made a unanimous and proactive decision to pursue the design and construction of a water treatment facility for each of the two impacted systems in Marana Water found to contain unregulated compounds (PFOS & 1,4-dioxane). These unregulated compounds currently do not have a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) applied by the EPA, but do have applicable health advisories. Constructing water treatment facilities in each of the impacted systems was considered to be the most effective solution to providing safe, clean drinking water now and for future development. Construction of both Water Treatment Campuses (Picture Rocks – Continental Reserve Area, & Airline/Lambert – Saguaro Bloom Area) commenced in January 2020, and operational status was reached on March 12, 2021. Sampling results of the water being introduced into the respective systems from both treatment facilities continue to show successful removal of both of these non-regulated compounds (PFOS & 1,4-dioxane).
For more information on this project, please visit the Project Water webpage.
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) AQUARIUS Recognition Program nationally recognizes DWSRF-funded projects for exceptional focus on sustainability and protection of public health. These projects are examples of the high level of innovation possible with the DWSRF.
