- Reno region plans a $200 million water reuse project.
- Facility will create high-quality purified water.
- Project reduces wastewater discharge into Swan Lake.
- Construction is expected to run through 2028.
Friday, April 10, 2026 — A major water project is moving forward just north of Reno, Nevada, marking a first for the state. On April 8, 2026, regional officials announced plans
for an advanced purified water facility designed to turn treated wastewater into a reliable new water source.
The project is being developed through a partnership known as OneWater Nevada, led by the City of Reno and the Truckee Meadows Water Authority. The effort reflects a growing need across the West to stretch limited water supplies as populations grow and drought conditions persist.
Turning Wastewater Into a Resource.
At the heart of the project is a treatment system that takes water already cleaned at a reclamation facility and purifies it even further. The process uses ozone treatment, biological filtration, carbon filtration, and ultraviolet light to produce what Nevada defines as Category A+ water.
This level of treatment meets strict state standards and can be used for many purposes, including irrigation and replenishing underground aquifers. Some of the water will be sent about seven miles away for agricultural use, while some will be stored underground for future needs.
A More Reliable Water Supply.
Officials describe the project as a way to build a more dependable water system. Unlike snowpack or river flows, which can vary from year to year, purified water can be produced consistently.
The facility is also expected to reduce the amount of treated wastewater flowing into Swan Lake, a flood-prone area, by up to two million gallons per day.
In addition, the technology chosen for the plant avoids some of the challenges of older systems. It does not rely on reverse osmosis, which often produces salty waste that must be disposed of. Instead, the system is designed to use less energy and reduce long-term operating costs.
A Regional Investment in the Future.
The full project includes more than just the treatment plant. Plans call for pipelines, storage tanks, pump stations, and wells to move and store the water across the region. There is also a future connection planned to the local drinking water system.
Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2026 and continue through November 2028. When complete, the facility will stand as Nevada’s first large-scale example of advanced purified water reuse, offering a model that could be expanded elsewhere in the state.
Pictured: Conceptual architectural rendering of the Advanced Purified Water Facility. Image courtesy of Truckee Meadows Water Authority and Carollo news release.
