Arizona nuclear plant relies on treated Phoenix wastewater for cooling

United States

First seen: Aug 24, 2026, 1:32 PM UTCUpdated: Aug 24, 2026, 1:32 PM UTC

WHAT HAPPENED

A major nuclear plant west of Phoenix uses a 58-kilometre pipeline to transport treated Phoenix wastewater for cooling. The water is evaporated in lined desert ponds.

SO WHAT?

Dependence on a large water-reuse system creates a potentially significant resource and infrastructure vulnerability.

FOR ME

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COVERAGE

Reports behind this event

terradaily.comen

West of Phoenix, the second-largest nuclear plant in America cools itself with no river and no sea — only a 58-kilometre pipe carrying up to 98 billion litres a year of treated Phoenix wastewater, which is then boiled away in 260 hectares of lined desert ponds.

Aug 24, 2026, 1:32 PM UTC