Blending Class A+ or Advanced Treated Reclaimed Water with Upper Lake Mary
Surface water augmentation is a form of Indirect Potable Reuse where treated reclaimed water is introduced to an environmental buffer, Upper Lake Mary (ULM), before the blended waters enter the water supply system. Just as demonstrated in the de facto recharge schematic, surface water augmentation occurs unintentionally in countless locations nationwide.
Surface water augmentation is administered through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The City has two Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permits, one for each Water Reclamation Plant. The City would need to amend its AZPDES permits in order to legally discharge to Upper Lake Mary without advanced treatment of Class A+ reclaimed water.
Source: Modified from AWWA Potable Reuse 101