This section provides an umbrella over Environmental Engineering / wastewater treatment plants and conveyance systems, Stormwater Quality, Flood Protection and Management, and the Environmental Control program.

Located at the eastern edge of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF) provides treatment for over 80% of all the wastewater generated from the cities of Reno and Sparks, the Sun Valley General Improvement District, and portions of unincorporated Washoe County. The plant was constructed in 1967, and since then has undergone numerous expansions to increase its capacity and efficiency. Jointly owned by the City of Reno and the City of Sparks, TMWRF is permitted to treat 44 million gallons of wastewater per day. TMWRF plays a critical role as it treats wastewater and returns clean water to the Truckee River or for uses in irrigation and reuse – helping to conserve water with sustainable operations.

The City of Reno and City of Sparks share ownership of the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF). Based on their respective population, the City of Reno claims about 68% ownership of the plant and the City of Sparks claims the remainder. The City of Sparks provides daily operation, while the City of Reno provides oversight of Capital Improvements for TMWRF. This team also works with other entities in the region to achieve regional water quality objectives. 

The Joint Coordinating Committee is the governing body for the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF), which is jointly owned by the Cities of Reno and Sparks. Committee decisions are ratified by the City Councils of Reno and Sparks. The Joint Coordinating Committee has the duty to advise the City Councils of Reno and Sparks with respect to all matters related to the maintenance, repair, expansion, replacement, improvement and operation of the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility, and policies related thereto.

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) forecasts engineering and construction projects related to expansion, maintenance, repair, operation, and improvements at the plant. Each year, a risk ranking analysis is completed and a list of projects for consideration is created and scheduled for completion over a five year period. This list is the 5-year CIP and is updated each year based on the needs of the plant. The five year CIP is reviewed at the beginning of the calendar year, and then approved by the JCC and then adopted by the Reno and Sparks City Councils. 

The Utility Services Department owns and operates the Reno Stead Water Reclamation Facility (RSWRF), which treats up to 2 million gallons per day of sewage/wastewater. The RSWRF is a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment and water reclamation facility, meeting the latest design standards, instrumentation and process control technology, and energy and manpower efficiency to treat up to 2 million gallons per day of raw sewage, in compliance with stringent public health and water quality discharge standards.

RSWRF Allocation List

The RSWRF is undergoing a major construction project to expand the plants’ treatment capacity from approximately 2 million gallons per day to 4 million gallons per day. This construction project will be complete in approximately Feb 2023.

The RSWRF 4 million gallon per day expansion project includes design and modification of the existing headworks, biofilter, blower building, and chemical facilities, and construction of new reactor basins, secondary clarifiers, scum pump station, RAS pump station, filter feed pump station, tertiary filters, UV disinfection, and effluent storage tank, as well as yard piping, electrical and instrumentation. The project improvements will increase the capacity, function, and effluent quality of the water reclamation facility

Wastewater is reclaimed and recycled to a high quality “Class A” effluent (as defined by the Nevada Administrative Code) and a large portion of the recycled water flows to Swan Lake, where it supports the Swan Lake Nature Study.  During the irrigation season, recycled water from RSWRF is also used for irrigation at the following locations:

  • North Valleys Regional Park/Sports Complex
  • Sierra Sage Golf Course
  • The Lakes Apartments
  • Mayor’s Park
  • O’Brien Middle School (in progress) 

The City of Reno is pursuing additional alternatives for the use of recycled water so that during wet years the discharge of recycled water to Swan Lake can be reduced.  The alternatives currently being contemplated are expanded recycled water use, recycled water exportation to customers outside of the Swan Lake basin, and a future Advanced Purified Water Facility (APWF) at American Flat.  In partnership with the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, the APWF at American Flat will allow for recycled water to be further treated in a separate facility to drinking water standards and injected into the groundwater aquifer for groundwater recharge, thereby creating a new water resource in an arid region.  After a prove up period, and after permitting through the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and a public vetting process, the groundwater recharge would start.  Per regulation, after 6 months within the aquifer (environmental buffer), the water could then be extracted by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority and used for potable uses.  The APWF at American Flat Project is currently a part of the OneWater Nevada regional collaboration. 

For more information on this view other OneWater Nevada Initiatives and Projects.

The City of Reno offers recycled water service to customers at its fill stand located at 4250 Norton Drive Reno NV 89506.  The provision of this water is regulated under the Reno Municipal Code Chapter 12.24.
To become a customer and gain access to the Fill Stand, please contact the City of Reno Utility Services Department at: (775) 334-4230

Truck Fill Application

The Utility Services Department is responsible for overseeing the capacity of the sanitary sewer collection system which consists of 823 miles of gravity sewer lines, 20 miles of force main, 32 lift stations, and 22,461 manholes. Sewer pipes sizes in the collection system range from 6-inches to 72-inches in diameter. The capacity in a sewer line is based on the slope of the pipe, diameter, and upstream wastewater flows. Utility Services works with the Development Services to ensure new developments do not exceed existing capacity requirements. Pipe capacity requirements and peak design flows can be found in the Public Works Design Manual, under Chapter IV. A map of the existing collection system can be found on the City of Reno Active Sewer & DrainageSystem GIS map.

The Utility Services Department is in the process of replacing and upgrading existing lift stations in the collection system. Typically, sanitary sewer systems are designed for wastewater to flow via gravity (downhill). There are situations where the wastewater is collected and pumped up to a higher elevation and this takes place at a lift station. The wastewater that is pumped travels through a force main and discharges into a manhole where it once again flows via gravity on its way to the treatment plant. Developments that are proposing a new lift station will need to follow the City of Reno Wastewater Lift Station Design Standards.