Ak-Chin Water CycleWater, Wastewater & Reuse

Joni Ashton, WWTOAk-Chin Indian CommunityEnvironmental Protection

Dept./Public Works

Gila River

Tohono O'odham

Salt River

Fort McDowell

Ak-ChinIndian Community

• 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– Farabe’s Meats– Golden State Irrigation– Hickman’s Egg Ranch

W ater

W astew ater

PublicW orks

G I S / G PS

G AP

CW A Sect. 106

CW A 319(h)

Pesticides

Environm entalProgram s

Environm entalProtection

D epartm ent

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

• 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

Ground Water

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