We’re ahead of the curve, which
encompasses how we focus our
approach in the desert.” Along with
the biogas production, reclaimed
water is also being diverted into
irrigation for farming and agriculture
and for cooling at the Palo Verde
Nuclear Generating Station. Mean-
while, the final by-products, the
bio-solids which amount to 10%
of total waste, become fertilisers
for non-food crops.
Hartman also notes the city’s
approach to the final polishing of
water has evolved. “Typically, you
would just build a treatment plant
before releasing it into the waterways,”
he says. “Instead, we’ve constructed
the Tres Rios Wetlands. It’s significant
because we’re using nature to do the
work for us and at the same time,
it transformed this desertscape into
a beautiful wetland home to 150 species
of birds. So in contrast to many of our
human behaviors that are slowly
contaminating our ecosystem, we are
being restorative and enhancing
nature so that it can thrive.”
It’s not just the city’s infrastructure
that is evolving. Phoenix is alsoCLICK TO WATCH: ‘BECOMING A CARBON NEUTRAL CITY’
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