Goodyear targets 74% non-potable water use for park irrigation to offset $2,900/AF potable costs

Goodyear targets 74% non-potable water use for park irrigation to offset $2,900/AF potable costsThe Arizona municipality is evaluating alternative water sources—including remediated Superfund groundwater and treated effluent—to shift roughly 370 acre-feet of annual demand away from its drinking water distribution system.

The city plans to increase its non-potable park irrigation footprint from 27% to approximately 74% of total irrigated acreage.

Transitioning away from potable water, which costs up to $2,900 per acre-foot, to alternative sources could yield significant operational savings.

Alternative sources under consideration include zero-cost remediated water from the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport South Superfund site and Roosevelt Irrigation District supplies.

In separate action, the City Council approved $250,000 for mobile filtration trailers to combat trihalomethane (TTHM) formation in two reservoirs.

Goodyear, Arizona, is advancing a strategic initiative to significantly expand the use of non-potable water across its municipal park system, aiming to reduce reliance on expensive drinking water supplies. During a September 14, 2026, work session, Parks and Recreation Director David Lopez and Water Services Director Barbara Chappell outlined a plan to increase the city's non-potable irrigation footprint from its current 27% (68 acres) to approximately 74% (293 acres) of total irrigated parkland. The transition is projected to shift about 370 acre-feet of annual water demand to alternative sources. The shift is largely driven by the high cost and limited availability of potable water, which currently costs the city up to $2,900 per acre-foot. In contrast, alternative supplies offer steep discounts. According to staff presentations, available non-potable sources include remediated groundwater from the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport (PGA) South Superfund site, which is available at no cost. Other options include well water from the Avondale Elementary District ($57/AF), treated effluent from Liberty Utilities ($430/AF), and supplies from the Roosevelt Irrigation District ($1,466/AF). Chappell noted that while alternative sources offer cost benefits, they present infrastructure and reliability challenges. The use of reclaimed water can introduce high salinity levels that impact soil and turf health. Furthermore, utilizing irrigation district water requires the construction of containment ponds and booster pump stations to ensure adequate distribution pressure. Staff will continue to evaluate the feasibility of connecting specific parks to these alternative sources and will present funding requests for necessary infrastructure during future Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and budget cycles. In separate business, the City Council approved a $250,000 budget amendment for the Water Services department. The funds will supplement an initial August 2026 authorization for the purchase, shipping, and deployment of mobile filtration trailers at two reservoir facilities. The equipment is intended to reduce the formation of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in the city's drinking water distribution system to maintain regulatory compliance.