Federal grant to help Pima County clean contaminated land for development

Pima County is using a nearly $500K federal grant to help turn contaminated land into community space.

The Environmental Protection Agency grant will be used for cleanup at the former Roger Road Wastewater Reclamation Facility at 2600 W. Sweetwater Drive, west of Interstate 10, officials said.

The $492,681 grant assisted the county in assessing the 47-acre property. It is expected to become a mixed-use development featuring areas for both open space and economic development.

The former wastewater treatment plant was decommissioned in 2014 and is contaminated with heavy metals and inorganic contaminants, the EPA says.

The Brownfields Utilization, Investment and Local Development Act of 2018, was passed to help communities around the country clean up and revitalize brownfield sites.

Grant funds will also be used to develop for community engagement activities, the EPA said.

Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community.