Wastewater Treatment

Water Improvement Pipeline Project Commences in Sparks, Nevada, Converts Effluent to Water for Industrial Use

A pipeline to reduce nitrates in Truckee River and convert effluent water for industrial use in Tahoe Reno Industrial Center is underway

Oct. 26, 2021
2 min read

The Regional Water Improvement Pipeline Project in Sparks, Nevada, has commenced. 

The 16-mile pipeline will deliver 4,000 acre-feet of treated effluent water from Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF) in Sparks, Nevada, to the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRI Center). 

Governor Steve Sisolak joined leaders from every local government in the Truckee River region to celebrate commencement of construction of the project, reported Switch.

The project is led by TRI Center and Switch and is the first regional public-private partnership in Nevada history to engage the support of each municipality and agency in Northern Nevada. 

Partners include, Nevada, Reno, Sparks, Washoe County, Storey County and Truckee Meadows Water Authority, and several major private sector partners such as the Master Developer of TRI Center, Switch. Farr West Engineering is the construction manager for the project, reported Switch. 

“This is a true win-win project that will create hundreds of good jobs in the community, while at the same time providing important environmental sustainability outcomes that benefit the residents and businesses along the Truckee River system,” said Governor Sisolak, reported Switch. “I commend each of the government entities that have made this model of regional coordination and cooperation a reality.”

The benefits of the pipeline, according to the team, include:

  • Eliminating the infusion of nitrate-rich effluent water into the Truckee River by utilizing it for mechanical use at TRI Center;
  • Protecting rate payers and allows for growth by deferring a $25 million expansion of the TMWRF wastewater treatment facility;
  • Allowing TRI Center and state of Nevada to provide clean instream flow water, maintaining the flow of the Truckee River;
  • Improving the overall water quality to Pyramid Lake by reducing the nitrates into Truckee River and protects the endangered Cui-ui fish; And
  • Creating hundreds of good paying jobs in the local community.

“Switch is proud to have been part of this critical infrastructure project from inception through fruition,” said Switch President Thomas Morton, reported Switch. “This innovative solution helps not only Switch, but our 1,300 plus global customers, operate mission-critical technology infrastructure in the most sustainable way using 100% recycled water to protect the area’s precious natural resources.”

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Cristina Tuser

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