Tucson approves EPA consent order for new ion exchange treatment facility

Tucson approves EPA consent order for new ion exchange treatment facilityCity officials have been authorized to execute an Administrative Order on Consent to advance infrastructure for the Tucson Airport Remediation Project (TARP).

Council voted unanimously to enter an Administrative Order on Consent with the EPA.

The agreement mandates the construction of an ion exchange facility.

The infrastructure is part of the Tucson Airport Remediation Project (TARP) to address groundwater contamination.

The City Manager and City Attorney were authorized to take all necessary actions to execute the order.

The City of Tucson has moved forward with plans to construct new water treatment infrastructure at a federal Superfund site. During a meeting on January 21, the Mayor and Council voted unanimously to authorize an Administrative Order on Consent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Following an executive session to discuss the legal implications, the City Attorney stated that the motion would authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to "take all actions necessary to enter into and the mayor to execute an administrative order on consent with the EPA to construct an ion exchange facility." The facility is a component of the Tucson Airport Remediation Project (TARP), a long-running effort to treat groundwater contamination in the area. The specific contaminants were not detailed during the open session, though ion exchange is a standard treatment technology for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other dissolved contaminants from water supplies. The remediation efforts at the airport were further highlighted later in the meeting during council announcements. Council Member Barajas noted the 30th anniversary of the United Community Advisory Board (UCAB), a group dedicated to ensuring "clean, safe water for families impacted by the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund site." Separately, the City Manager noted trends in regional water rates, reporting that the neighboring Marana Town Council recently adopted a multi-year rate adjustment, with water rates increasing by 10.5% and wastewater rates by 2.5%. Marana currently has the third-highest utility bill among surrounding municipalities, with officials citing aging infrastructure and regulatory requirements—such as PFAS management—as necessary drivers for the hike.