Regional Optimization Master Plan (ROMP)

ROMP Highlights and Updates

Plant Interconnect Ground-breaking ceremonyInterconnect Receives ARRA (Stimulus) Funding

RWRD is among the first water sector agencies in the State of Arizona to receive funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. RWRD is receiving $10 million from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA), which includes $8 million in low-interest rate loans and an additional $2 million in ARRA principal forgiveness funds. (See Powerpoint Presentation about the stimulus funding.) Principal forgiveness funds do not have to be repaid. The ARRA and WIFA funding will save Pima County residents nearly $3.4 million in construction costs for the Plant Interconnect Project, which will connect the two major metropolitan treatment plants and is the first project in the state-mandated Regional Optimization Master Plan (ROMP). The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2010.

Ina Road WRF Capacity Expansion and Effluent Quality Upgrade

The Ina Road expansion project is on track with consultants on board for the three major elements of the project. The project manager will be Jacobs Field Services of North America, and CH2MHill has been awarded the design contract for $18 million. The Board of Supervisors also approved a contract for pre-construction services to Montgomery Watson Construction, Inc. for $2 million. The total design and construction budget is $252 million.

Water Reclamation Campus

RWRD is pursuing the most cost-effective option for the WRC: Design-Build-Operate, with a contractor providing all three elements. he DBO Request f.or Qualifications Statements has been publically issued. The design and construction budget is $261 million.

What is the Regional Optimization Master Plan (ROMP)?

ROMP is a master plan to allow the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD) to meet environmental regulatory requirements.

What is RWRD planning?

RWRD is working to meet new environmental requirements mandated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). ADEQ regulates our activities and the way we convey and treat the community’s sewage. ADEQ has directed us to meet new stringent quality standards for our effluent. These standards are based on mandates set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What new standards does RWRD have to meet?

ADEQ is mandating that RWRD decrease the amount of nitrogen and ammonia in our effluent.

Why is it important to decrease nitrogen and ammonia levels in effluent?

Although nitrogen is helpful in plant growth, it is harmful to aquatic life. Additionally, effluent that is discharged into the Santa Cruz River can percolate into our groundwater and increase nitrogen and ammonia levels in the aquifer. Although small levels of nitrogen naturally exist in the aquifer, high levels of nitrogen in drinking water can be harmful to children and unborn babies. No local water providers draw from the groundwater near the Roger Road and Ina Road facilities, and the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department performs regular monitoring of the groundwater in these areas.

What does Pima County intend to do to meet new standards?

With a number of community partners (the City of Tucson, the Town of Oro Valley, and others), RWRD has developed the Regional Optimization Master Plan (ROMP). The ROMP will change how we manage and treat the community’s sewage.

Today, the Roger Road plant has a capacity of 41 million gallons a day (mgd). The Ina Road facility has a capacity of 37.5 mgd. ROMP planners have projected that the metropolitan area will need a capacity of 85 mgd by 2030 (3 mgd will be provided by the Randolph Water Reclamation Facility located at 22nd Street and Alvernon Way.) When the ROMP is completed, the Ina Road facility will be upgraded and expanded to treat 50 mgd. The Roger Road plant will be decommissioned after a new 32 mgd water reclamation facility is built adjacent to the existing plant.

Proposed Water Reclamation Campus

Proposed 32 mgd Water Reclamation Campus (Click here for higher resolution schematic)

Ina Road - proposed 50 mgd plant

Proposed Ina Road 50 mgd Water Reclamation Facility (Click here for higher resolution schematic)

What will the ROMP cost?

Preliminary estimates are $536 million. However, this estimate is based on prices for necessary goods and services in 2006 dollars. Ultimately, the ROMP will cost more when additional needs and requirements are identified and inflation and debt service are factored into project costs.

RWRD will be asking for increases in sewer rates and sewer connection fees. These rates are paid by those of us who receive sewer service and by developers and any others who connect new plumbing fixtures that discharge into the sewer system.