Scottsdale recycling plan faces backlash
Summary
Scottsdale has scrapped a plan to pipe highly treated recycled wastewater directly into residents’ taps after backlash fueled by misleading claims about “poop water.” The fight has become a key issue in the city council race as Arizona faces worsening drought and Colorado River cuts.
Key Points
- Scottsdale dropped a plan to add purified wastewater directly to its drinking supply after criticism from political candidates and a budget shift by the city council.
- City officials and water experts say the treatment process is safe and important for drought resilience, while opponents argue it is costly and should be a last resort.
- The debate has spilled into the November council election, with Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Barry Graham among the most vocal critics of the program.
- The controversy comes as Colorado River shortages deepen, prompting broader federal and state investment in advanced water purification projects.
