Provo celebrates opening of new water reclamation facility
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- City officials cut the ribbon to open Provo’s new water reclamation facility Saturday, June 21, 2025.
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- People celebrate the opening of Provo’s new water reclamation facility Saturday, June 21, 2025.
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- People celebrate the opening of Provo’s new water reclamation facility Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Provo ceremoniously opened its new $120 million water reclamation facility Saturday, marking the completion of a five-year construction project that officials say will lead to cleaner reusable water.
The new building, located at 1685 S. East Bay Blvd., replaces the former facility — built in 1956 — that was reaching its water-use capacity and would have soon been noncompliant with federal regulations, Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi said.
Replacing the aging facility was a priority for Kaufusi, who dubbed herself the “Sewer Mayor” when she first took office in 2018.
The city broke ground on the project in 2020 and built a facility that city officials believe will last for several generations.
“This truly is a generational project,” Kaufusi said Saturday. “This isn’t just an upgrade. Oh no. We’ve gone from the horse and buggy era straight to the space age.”
Utah Division of Water Quality Assistant Director Emily Canton lauded the facility for treating waste water with “the highest standards” by removing phosphorus and nitrogen from the water, leading to cleaner water flowing into Utah Lake and improving the lake’s recreational and bio life.
The new facility will improve the water quality by using membrane bioreactor technology known for filtering out sewage effectively.
“This project represents a significant step in a shared commitment both to public health and environmental stewardship,” Canton said.
The Utah Water Quality Board authorized $92.8 million of low-interest financing for the facility, Canton said, while Provo also received a $14 million grant from money provided to Utah County through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner said the grant was offered not just to help Provo but to benefit the entire county by improving long-term capacity for water management and to improve Utah Lake.
“Backing this facility isn’t just about pipes and pumps; it’s about protecting our shared water resources, supporting sustainable growth, enhancing Utah County’s quality of life and passing forward a cleaner lake for our children and our grandchildren,” Powers Gardner said.
The facility’s opening was celebrated in a unique way Saturday, with a “Flush Fest” that involved tours of the building, food trucks, activity booths and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Where in the world do you take a reclamation opening facility to make a festival, other than Provo?” Powers Gardner said. “Well done. I showed up and could not believe how many people here were excited for their new sewer system. Way to show up, Provo.”
