Nogales Wastewater Source Characterization Study

UPDATE :
Although dated, this study may be useful as it relates to (1) identifying potential sources of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) commonly linked with metal plating facilities and (2) source mitigation of a current nickel impairment on the Santa Cruz River downstream of the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant. This background may be useful to those applying for grants to help mitigate respective sources and/or as reference for those designing solutions for water providers (e.g. summary of prior studies; summary of annual SSOs impacting the Nogales Wash; failing wastewater infrastructure south fo the line).
SUMMARY:
This summarizes a metals source characterization study for the Ambos Nogales binational wastewater conveyance in southeastern Arizona. This watershed hosts industrial activities that support binational trade between Mexico and the US. Binational wastewater is treated by the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant (NIWTP). Treated influent is discharged to the Santa Cruz River in Arizona which is critical to the local economy.
Wastewater sampling identified industrial parks in Nogales, Sonora that are likely contributors of metals contamination in the binational conveyance to downstream infrastructure and Santa Cruz River (see minute 29:05). Of note, IBWC Minute 276 does not allow discharges of wastewater that "impacts the operational efficiency of the NIWTP". Recommended actions and followthrough summarized at minute 30:17,
If you are a researcher interested in learning more, please contact the EPA US-Mexico Border Program for the final report submitted to the Border 2020 Program, or the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for databases containing the raw data (or zoom in on the slide shown in minute 24:00).
For updates on the latest metals loadings, you may request copies of pretreatment data submitted by IBWC to ADEQ in line with the AZPDES permit requirements for the NIWTP, or minutes of US-IBWC's Binational Technical Committee meetings. Additional details are memorialized in weekly/quarterly reports for ADEQ leadership and EPA dating back to 2004 filed by the Office of Legislative Affairs, and are also memorialized in two case studies prepared by ADEQ for the Border Environment Cooperation Commission.
My sincerest thanks to the EPA Border 2020 Program and the Nogales Sonora Potable Water and Wastewater Utility (OOMAPAS-NS) for partnering on this important study. Few know of the hundreds of unpaid-hours and weekends that OOMAPAS-NS staff volunteered in support of this important project, or the progress OOMAPAS-NS realized with its municipal pretreatment program with very limited resources. Also, thanks to the City of Phoenix and Pima County for leveraging resources and services, particularly Roger Vail (COP retired) and Barbara Escobar (Pima County).
These slides were originally presented to the US-IBWC Southeast Arizona Citizen’s public forum in 2018. This presentation was updated in 2019 when I resigned from the Office of Border Environmental Protection (now known as the Office of Legislative Affairs) as a means to introduce myself to the Watershed Protection Unit.
This video is NOT monetized.