Morrison Ranch

The growth of Morrison Ranch within the Town of Gilbert and its location in the Sonoran Desert has presented a challenge to officials planning for efficient use of water resources. The use of reclaimed water offers a proven method for conserving our drinking water supplies and is a valuable component to the Town's overall water portfolio. Here we have compiled a list of commonly asked questions about reclaimed water in general, and its usage in Morrison Ranch in particular.

I've heard the term 'reclaimed water'. What is this and where does it come from?

As Gilbert's population continues to grow, the demand for clean water also increases. All wastewater in the Town is captured and highly treated so that it can be safely used for irrigation and other non-potable (other than drinking) uses. This recycled or reclaimed water helps reduce demands on our groundwater use by providing an additional water source for our growing community.

Since 1986, the Town has been using 100 percent of its reclaimed water. Some is delivered directly to reclaimed water users, like Morrison Ranch, and is used on the right of way, in parks and open space.

Some is used to recharge, or replenish, water that is pumped from the ground. In 1990 Neely Water Reclamation facility became the first recharge site followed by The Riparian Preserve which opened in 1999. An added benefit to water recharge is the creation of desert riparian habitat that attracts a variety of wildlife.

How clean is Gilbert's reclaimed water? How is it treated? Are there any health concerns I should be aware of?

Reclaimed water must meet strict water quality standards as established by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. It undergoes state-of-the-art treatment processes, is screened, filtered and chlorinated to meet the highest water standards earning an A+ rating. No health related problems have been traced to reclaimed water, according to State health and water quality officials.

1. Irrigation on s, parks, common areas in homeowner communities, highway medians and other landscaped areas.
2. Aesthetic purposes such as fountains and decorative ponds.
3. Agricultural uses for irrigation such as pasture lands and irrigation at nurseries.
4. Wetlands creation, restoration and enhancement.
5. Industrial uses including plant wash down, processing water and cooling water.

1. Human or pet consumption.
2. Cooking, bathing, toilet flushing or other household use.
3. Filling swimming pools, hot tubs, or wading pools.
4. Filling of children's water toys or outdoor showers.
5. Connection to any other potable water pipes, wastewater pipes, or reclaimed water pipes that would return reclaimed water back to the system.

Signs are required to identify areas that use reclaimed water. All reclaimed water systems are easily identified by the purple pipes and valve box covers seen throughout the landscape.

In order for a community such as Morrison Ranch to use reclaimed water, it must provide a holding or storage site which may be located above or below ground. Above-ground storage reservoirs look like small lakes or ponds. The Town delivers the reclaimed water to the reservoir. It is then the responsibility of the community to pump it into their distribution system for use on landscaped areas. The level of the reservoirs fluctuates because of the watering demands on the neighboring landscape.

Why are the water ski lakes allowed to have full body contact? Is the water different?

Several of the water ski lakes in the town are filled with recovered water. This is reclaimed water that has been treated and recharged into the upper aquifer. Shallow wells have been drilled to allow recovery of a portion of this water while the remainder is left for aquifer replenishment. This recovered well water is classified as permissible for full body contact, but would not meet drinking water standards.

A portion of the reclaimed water produced by the town's wastewater system is being used to recharge the shallow water table. The town has constructed 18 recharge ponds on 175+ acres at two locations in the urban area and the third site measuring up to 70 acres, will help to meet future demand as well. The reclaimed water is allowed to percolate several hundred feet into the aquifer where it is capable of being used again as a future water source.

Over 7.5 million gallons of wastewater is currently treated on a daily basis. This amount will increase with our growing population and the construction of a new treatment plant located in southeast Gilbert.

Yes. In 2003, 796 million gallons of reclaimed water were used in place of drinking water as a source for landscape irrigation. Because less drinking (potable) water is used on landscapes and in industry, reclaimed water has eased the demand on our groundwater and surface water resources. In the peak demand period in summer, reclaimed water saves more than 131 million gallons of drinking water each day.

Yes. Chandler, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Peoria and Tucson are all currently using reclaimed water. Some use only a portion of their reclaimed water, others use 100 percent. More cities are recognizing the value in establishing a reclaimed water system as an alternative water source.

My neighbor tells me because our HOA uses reclaimed water, we can use as much as we want. Is this true?

Reclaimed water is a valuable water resource because it reduces demands on groundwater sources making it one of the most significant water conservation tools. Water is a finite resource and none of it should be wasted. All the fresh water that will ever be created is already on the earth's surface or stored underground in aquifers. Once water is applied to a landscape it is not directly recoverable like the water that goes down your home's drain. However, the wastewater from your home can be captured, treated and used again. All users should treat reclaimed water with the same respect as potable water.

The reclaimed water system encompasses established areas in Gilbert and is expanding into the sections where new growth is taking place, like here in Morrison Ranch. Developers of new communities and businesses are responsible for building the infrastructure needed to connect to the Town's reclaimed backbone system in order to use this water source. There are no plans to serve individual homeowners at this time.

If the Town is trying to save water, why is there a lake, fountain, grass and trees throughout Morrison Ranch?

The reservoir located east of the AZ Farm Bureau building and the reservoir within Highland Groves were constructed to hold reclaimed water delivered to these sites. A fountain keeps the water aerated which helps prevent stagnation. The water is then pumped into a landscape distribution system to irrigate all the turf and trees throughout Morrison Ranch community.

Aquifers are underground beds of saturated soil or rock that yield significant quantities of water.
Potable water meets drinking water standards.
Recharge refers to water entering an underground aquifer through faults, fractures or direct absorption.
Reclaimed water is water that has received at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection and is reused after flowing out of a domestic wastewater treatment facility.
Recovered water is water that is pumped out of shallow wells to recover reclaimed water that has been recharged.
Reuse means the deliberate application of reclaimed water for a beneficial purpose.
Treated effluent meets the same standards as reclaimed water.
Wastewater contains unwanted materials from homes, businesses and industries.