For Star subscribers: A new Tucson facility will help improve the ability to remove potentially cancer-causing PFAS compounds from contaminated groundwater.
Tony Davis Tucson Water will get $25 million from the state later this year to improve its south side water treatment plant's ability to remove potentially cancer-causing PFAS compounds from contaminated groundwater flowing into it.
ADEQ and Tucson Water officials announced the $25 million award to the utility just before Christmas. The money will come through the state from funds appropriated by the federal American Rescue Plan Act. It was enacted in spring 2021 to funnel billions of dollars in aid for programs to help communities cushion teconomic dislocations caused by the spread of COVD-19.
But while this money is welcome, it's a"drop in the bucket" compared to what's needed to clean PFAS from city wells lying on the south side, the southeast side near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the northwest side in the Continental Ranch area and elsewhere, said Vice Mayor Steve Kozachik. That caused Tucson Water officials to shut the TARP plant down for a few months starting in June 2021, out of concern that the rising PFAS levels would overload the facility's carbon treatment methods. The plant was reopened that December, after the utility, using $2 million in state funds, built a pipeline to take the treated water for discharge into the neighboring Santa Cruz River near Interstate 10 and Irvington Road.
That process essentially destroys TCE and 1-4 dioxane by adding hydrogen peroxide to the water as it comes into the plant from city wells. The peroxide oxidizes the water's chemical compounds, and the oxygenated water is passed by ultraviolet light. It breaks apart the oxygenated compounds. Then, the granular activated carbon"quenches" any residual hydrogen peroxide molecules — essentially decomposing the peroxide.
"We are anticipating it will take at least three years to design, construct, and put a facility on line," the utility said."Until a detailed design and engineering estimate is conducted, this estimate is preliminary."
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Actor Wants the Game to Appeal to Non-Star Wars FansStar Wars Jedi: Survivor actor Cameron Monaghan worked with Lucasfilm to make the game appeal to non-Star Wars fans.
Read more »
Nicolas Cage Won't Appear In Star Wars Universe For One Straightforward ReasonNicolas Cage won't appear in the Star Wars universe because he's a bigger fan of Star Trek.
Read more »
Le Macaron coming to TucsonLe Macaron is opening its first location in Tucson, and expects to have the boutique open come Spring 2023.
Read more »
Body found on Tucson's east side ruled a homicideOn Wednesday, the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner informed detectives that the autopsy results ruled that the victim's death was a homicide.
Read more »
Fox Tucson Theatre through the yearsThe Fox Tucson Theatre has been a Tucson landmark for decades. Its history has been captured in photos since the 1930s, when it opened as a vaudeville venue and movie house. Video by Pascal Albright / Arizona Daily Star
Read more »
'T-Locs' represented city well during 2022 college football seasonA look at how Tucson natives fared during the 2022 college football season.
Read more »