Phoenix, Arizona is the nation’s fifth largest city, encompassing about 540 square miles and serving 1.5 million people.
Almost all of Phoenix’s tap water starts as snow far north of the city and is transported via the Colorado, Salt and Verde Rivers, then to canals into to the city’s six water treatment plants.
At an average monthly cost of about $57 for water and wastewater, a Phoenix resident receives about 2.5 gallons of tap water for a penny.
Phoenix Water Services produces about 100 billion gallons of tap water annually that is delivered to more than 400,000 accounts.
More than five million water quality tests and measurements are performed annually in the treatment and distribution systems.
Despite being in the desert, Phoenix’s water supply is in very good shape due to decades of planning and multiple water sources. We have the water we need, but let's not waste it.
Phoenix Water Services’ annual operating budget is approximately $278 million and its five-year Capital Improvement Plan totals about $1.6 billion.
The demand for tap water in Phoenix ranges from highs over 400 million gallons per day in summer to lows under 175 million in winter.
Phoenix is delivering the same amount of water in total today as it did 10 years ago despite a 28 percent growth in population.
Phoenix has had a water conservation office since 1986.
Water Services maintains about 7,000 miles of water mains, 50,000 fire hydrants and 40 reservoirs.
Phoenix tap water is fluoridated at a level of .7 parts per million. That’s equivalent to about one drop in a swimming pool.
Phoenix has one of the most aggressive infrastructure leak repair programs in the country.
Less than one percent of Phoenix’s tap water is used for drinking.
The wastewater system includes two wastewater plants, a reclaimed water plant, almost 5,000 miles of sewer mains and 78,000 manholes.
More than 250 million gallons of wastewater is treated each day, servicing about 2.5 million customers.
More than 90 percent of Phoenix’s wastewater is highly treated and reused for crops, power generation and turf irrigation.
Phoenix uses cameras and high tech equipment to clean grease, roots and other debris from about a third of its sewer lines each year.
Numerous award-winning videos and public service announcements have been produced featuring actor Leslie Nielsen.
The City of Phoenix Water Services Department is more than 100 years old.
