Clean Air and Quality Water

Featured Project: Multiple Benefit Water Projects

Description
The Multiple Benefit Water Projects program, instituted in 1997 by the Mayor and Council, consists of about 20 current and planned projects, including:

• Central Avra Valley Storage and Recovery Project
  (CAVSARP): Now in its expanded-pilot phase, CAVSARP will ultimately recharge and recover 60,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water annually for delivery to the community. When fully operational in 2003, the project will allow a dramatic reduction in pumping from the central wellfield, which will reduce the danger of subsidence.
• SWEETWATER WETLANDS:
  This wetlands treats backwash water from the city's reclaimed water filtration plant as its primary purpose. However, the wetlands have also proven tremendously popular in attracting wildlife and wildlife watchers. Each year, an estimated 4,500 students and 1,500 general public tour the facility, and approximately 40,000 birdwatchers come to view the native and migrating birds.
• SANTA CRUZ RIVER PROJECTS:
  A constellation of downtown-area projects is planned for the Santa Cruz channel. These include a gateway art project, extension of Santa Cruz River park, the river's restoration of seasonal/continuous flow, and other project elements involving the Barrio Anita neighborhood and Davis Bilingual Magnet elementary school.

Key Features
Multiple Benefit Water Projects enhance the livability of our community by:

• Promoting education
• Promoting recreation
• Restoring habitat
• Recharging and treating water

Partners
Each project has involved collaboration with nearby residents and local interest groups that serve on project planning committees. Teachers and students in nearby schools collaborate in developing the educational elements of the projects. Also, staff from a number of city departments may be involved (e.g., Tucson Water, Transportation, Parks and Recreation, and Environmental Management). Finally, staff continues to collaborate with the University of Arizona and the Arizona Department of Health Services to improve mosquito control in these projects.

Impact
The Multiple Benefit Water Projects program looks for ways to take traditional, single purpose water projects and create opportunities for residents to participate in leisure activities associated with the project and/or learn from the project.

For more information about Multiple Benefit Water Projects, contact Marie Pearthree, 791-2666, mpearth1@ci.tucson.az.us

Other Projects That Further This Goal:

• Compressed Natural Gas Buses and City Vehicles
• Landfill Methane Gas Collection Systems
• "Energy Star Buildings" Conservation Program

Goal Indicator definition for this project.