Scottsdale drops direct water reuse plan after political criticism

Scottsdale's city council in June replaced direct-reuse funding with a $100 million allocation for new water sources. That ended a plan to add purified wastewater—treated with ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet photolysis—directly to drinking supply by 2027. The city of 250,000, which gets 70% of its water from the Colorado River, pioneered recycling in 1998 with a plant for 60,000 households. Officials say the water exceeds federal standards and under 1% of liquid waste is from toilets. Some 7,500 people tried it at tours; none got it at home taps. CONTESTED: Criticism framed the plan as unsafe toilet to tap after a May ad by Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Rob Schneider with clear and brown glasses. Barry Graham said he cannot assume residents will trust or listen to experts. Bryan Cassens said Southwest reuse matters and Scottsdale has done it 28 years. Cynthia Campbell said it is not time to be selective with desert water. Ben Grumbles found politicians' cheap, fast points frustrating and hoped facts bear out. One council candidate backs reuse; two raise safety and cost concerns. Scottsdale Water presents options in October. ADEQ unregulated-contaminant rules are due early 2027. Single-source left story; no right-rated coverage in the record.