Nevada starts construction on first advanced water reuse facility near Reno

Construction has started on Nevada's first advanced water purification facility, the Advanced Purified Water Facility at American Flat. The project, developed by the City of Reno and the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, will treat about two million gallons of wastewater per day. It is designed to reduce the Reno region's reliance on the drought-affected Truckee River and improve water security. Unlike most advanced water reuse plants, the facility will not use reverse osmosis. Instead, it will use ozone and biological activated carbon, which uses less energy and chemicals and avoids producing a brine stream. Purified water will be injected into a groundwater aquifer near Stead Airport as an environmental buffer before entering the drinking water supply. Supporters say the approach could be expanded to other treatment plants in the region. The project comes as snowpack in the Truckee River basin hit its second-lowest level since 1986, highlighting the need for local, drought-resistant water sources.