FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The City of Reno and Truckee Meadows Water Authority
Break Ground on Nevada’s First Advanced Purified Water Facility
New A+ Advanced Water Facility will deliver a locally controlled, drought-proof water supply for the Truckee Meadows
RENO, Nev. (August 31, 2026). The City of Reno and Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) today marked the official start of construction on the Advanced Purified Water Facility (APWF), Nevada’s first indirect potable reuse facility, at a groundbreaking ceremony at the Lear Blvd. site north of Reno.
Operating under the OneWater Nevada program, the facility will produce A+ Advanced Purified Water as designated by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), which followed a comprehensive regulatory review. Once complete, the plant will be capable of producing up to two million gallons per day that will replenish groundwater resources for future use.
This new, locally controlled resource will also reduce the region’s reliance on the Truckee River system, strengthening long-term drought resilience for the roughly 475,000 residents TMWA serves across Reno, Sparks and Washoe County.
The project is the result of more than 15 years of research, testing and planning. While advanced purified water has been produced for decades in other states, the purification process at the APWF is uniquely suited to this inland region. Its innovative technology will include ozone-biological activated carbon which offers advantages over conventional approaches including lower capital and operating costs, reduced energy requirements, and elimination of brine-concentrate discharge associated with reverse osmosis systems.
“Today is a major milestone for Reno and our entire region,” said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. “Water is one of our community’s most important resources, and we have a responsibility to make sure we’re prepared for the future. This facility provides us with a locally controlled, innovative water resource that will help strengthen our resilience during drought and support our community for generations to come. I’m proud of the City of Reno’s partnership with TMWA and the many people who have spent more than a decade turning this vision into reality.”
TMWA General Manager John Zimmerman echoed Schieve’s emphasis on regional partnership and the project’s long-term benefits. “The Advanced Purified Water Facility is an outstanding example of what regional cooperation can accomplish,” said Zimmerman. “By working together, TMWA and the City of Reno are creating a new water resource that will strengthen the reliability and resilience of our region’s water supply for decades to come. We are grateful for Reno’s partnership and proud to be moving this important project forward together.”
The project has also undergone extensive review by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), which worked closely with the project team throughout the development of Nevada’s first A+ advanced purified water facility. “NDEP has been proud to support this project every step of the way, from establishing Nevada’s regulatory framework for advanced purified water, to providing roughly $128 million in State Revolving Fund financing,” said Jennifer Carr, Administrator of NDEP. “This investment is helping to make Nevada’s first advanced purified water facility possible while supporting a safe, drought-resilient water supply for the Truckee Meadows.”
Construction on the APWF is expected to continue through the fall of 2029. An on-site Education Center is planned to open alongside the facility and will offer the public an opportunity to engage with the science and safety behind advanced water purification.
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The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by representatives of TMWA, the City of Reno, and members of the project’s engineering and construction teams.
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About Truckee Meadows Water Authority
Truckee Meadows Water Authority is a community-owned water utility, overseen by elected officials and citizen appointees from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. TMWA employs a highly skilled team who ensure the treatment, delivery and availability of high-quality drinking water around the clock for more than 475,000 Truckee Meadows residents.
About the City of Reno
The City of Reno government’s mission is creating a community that people are proud to call home. In order to achieve that purpose, the Reno City Council has established seven strategic priorities for the City of Reno. To learn more about the City of Reno, visit Reno.gov or call 775-334-INFO (4636).
About the Advanced Purified Water Facility
The Advanced Purified Water Facility is a joint project of TMWA and the City of Reno, developed under the OneWater Nevada program. Once operational, the facility will use advanced multi-barrier treatment technology to produce A+ Water, a new drought-proof, locally controlled water resource for the region. Learn more at OneWaterNevada.com.
About OneWater Nevada
OneWater Nevada is a collaboration between regional agencies, exploring a comprehensive approach to extending the resiliency and sustainability of local water resources for future generations. It is comprised of the City of Reno, TMWA, the City of Sparks, Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility, University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County, and the Western Regional Water Commission/Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission. To learn more, visit OneWaterNevada.com.
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Media Contact:
TMWA: Marlene Olsen | Principal | Good Standing Outreach | 775.772.0020 | marlene@good-standing.com
City of Reno: Media phone: 775-430-5005 and email: media@reno.gov.