Water, Wastewater & Reuse

Ak-Chin Water Cycle

Joni Ashton, WWTO Ak-Chin Indian Community Environmental Protection Dept./Public Works

Fort McDowell
Salt River

Ak-Chin Indian Community

Gila River

Tohono O'odham

 Comprised of 21,850 acres 703 Community Members Governed by a five member Council Ak-Chin place where the wash loses itself in the sand or ground Enterprises
Ak-Chin Farms Casino/Resort Vekol Commissary

Industrial Park
Farabes Meats Golden State Irrigation Hickmans Egg Ranch

Environmental Protection Department

Public Works
Water Wastewater

GIS / GPS

Environmental Programs
GAP CWA Sect. 106 CWA 319(h) Pesticides

Surface Water
Four perennial washes
Vekol Smith Santa Cruz Santa Rosa

Surface Water
Water Rights Settlement Act (1984)
75,000 acre feet per year

Capacity 80 acre feet or 26 million gallons Laterals

Ground Water
Ak-Chin Community Water System Constructed in 1986 with IHS funds Initial capacity of 400,000 gallons Additional construction in 2002 with IHS funds Total capacity of 900,000 Serves 300+ homes Monthly and annual water quality testing

Ground Water
Industrial Park Water System 550,000 gallon capacity Serves light industrial businesses

Ak-Chin Wastewater Treatment Plant

Phase 1 online Summer of 1999 65,000 gallon capacity Activated sludge, extended aeration

Ak-Chin Wastewater Treatment Plant

Phase 2 online Summer 2001 175,000 gallon capacity Activated sludge, extended aeration

Ak-Chin Wastewater Treatment Laboratory

Reuse
Future project Irrigation and water for non edible vegetation within the Community Million gallon storage capacity

Environmental Project
Removed approximately 250 Salt Cedar Trees Planted 93 Cottonwood poles around pond and finger areas Reduce nitrate Reintroduce native species Increase habitat area

Before Salt Cedar Removal

After Removal with Cottonwood

Joni Ashton, Wastewater Treatment Operator

Ak-Chin Indian Community

Environmental Protection Department

Phone: (520) 568-1146

Fax: (520) 568-9380 email: jashton@ak-chin.nsn.us