Water Reclamation Facility

TMWRF’s mission is to treat wastewater, beneficially reuse and discharge reclaimed water in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner that respects the environment and protects public health while meeting or exceeding all local,
state and federal regulations to the mutual benefit of our customers, stakeholders and the region.

We will continuously strive to improve our performance by implementing environmentally sustainable and sound business solutions and communicate our achievements to our customers and stakeholders.

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Backgroundtmwrf-river_monitoring_main_imgIn 1964 the cities of Reno and Sparks, via an inter-local agreement, commissioned the construction of the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF). Since that time the cities have jointly owned and operated the facility. Originally TMWRF had a permitted capacity of 20 millions of gallons per day (MGD). In 1978-80, capacity was expanded to 30 MGD and phosphorus removal facilities were added. In the 1980’s the capacity was increased to 40 MGD and nitrogen removal facilities were added. In 2007, another expansion project was completed and the capacity was increased and current permitted capacity is 44 MGD. The capacity is shared between the cities of Reno and Sparks and portions are leased to the Sun Valley General Improvement District and Washoe County. The current flows into the facility average approximately 30 MGD. 

The facility’s governance has been established through a series of inter-local agreements between the cities of Reno and Sparks. The 1996 agreement created the current form of the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) which is composed of representatives from the two cities along with the Sun Valley General Improvement District and Washoe County. The JCC has the duty to advise the City Councils of Reno and Sparks with respect to all matters related to the maintenance, repair, expansion, replacement, improvement and operation of TMWRF, and policies related thereto. The City of Sparks serves as the operating authority and the City of Reno directs major capital improvements.
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TMWRF is a biological nutrient removal plant that uses separate nitrification and denitrification processes for nitrogen removal and biological and chemical processes for phosphorus removal. Reclaimed water is discharged to the Truckee River or is pumped to effluent reuse sites throughout the region. Solids are thickened, anaerobically digested, dewatered and hauled to the local landfill for disposal. The methane gas produced by solids digestion is used to generate the hot water which is used to heat many TMWRF’s buildings as well as run a 988 KW cogeneration engine which reduces power costs for the facility by roughly 1/3. 

TMWRF serves the central Truckee Meadows, including areas within the City of Reno, the City of Sparks, the Sun Valley General Improvement District, and portions of Washoe County that are within the Truckee Meadows and the Spanish Springs Valley. The sewer system conveys wastewater flows from the Truckee Meadows Valley, Spanish Springs Valley, Sun Valley, Verdi/Truckee Canyon, and portions of the Golden Valley and Lemmon Valley hydrographic basins.

TMWRF Financial Statements