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Scottsdale's water recycling program hits election-year backlash

Council critics and new state rules helped derail the direct-to-tap expansion, leaving Scottsdale Water to return with other options in October.

  • Scottsdale officials halted a plan to send purified recycled water directly to residents' taps after the city council replaced program funding with a $100 million allocation for new water sources in June.
  • Incumbent Councilman Barry Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita led opposition by making unproven claims that recycled water was contaminated "poop water" or represented a "toilet to tap" system.
  • City officials stated that less than 1% of liquid waste comes from toilets, arguing such claims marginalize the science behind a treatment program exceeding federal drinking water standards.
  • With Scottsdale drawing 70% of its water from the Colorado River, experts worry the budget change and council skepticism could weaken resilience as the West faces persistent drought and significant cuts.
  • Scottsdale Water officials will present future options to the council in October, preserving 28 years of expertise that other Arizona cities hope to replicate for their own water facilities.
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24 Articles

The Toronto StarThe Toronto Star
+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Lean Left

Scottsdale’s water recycling program hits election-year backlash

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A Phoenix suburb ditched a plan to send recycled water from toilets and other sources directly to residents' taps, after political candidates made unproven claims that

·Toronto, Canada
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WPLGWPLG
+13 Reposted by 13 other sources
Center

Scottsdale's water recycling program hits election-year backlash

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A Phoenix suburb ditched a plan to send recycled water from toilets and other sources directly to residents' taps, after political candidates made unproven claims that the water is contaminated “poop water.”

·Miami, United States
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WPLG broke the news in Miami, United States on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
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