Does CGT use reclaimed water at any of the gardens?
No. In Tucson our reclaimed water is Class A+ reclaimed water. Reclaimed water has various classes based on the level of treatment that the water received. Class A+ grade reclaimed water is acceptable for use of irrigating food crops. This is established by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as an acceptable practice. Because the levels of pharmaceuticals is so low in reclaimed or recycled water there is little concern with ingesting vegetables grown using this water source. The issue is the potential for bacteria to grow in the water on site because of the high nutrient content. The treatment facilities are required to have non-detectable (zero) microorganisms in the water at the time of treatment; however, in order to prevent potential risk ADEQ has suggested to not use spray irrigation when using reclaimed water on edible crops in order to minimize the contact of the produce with the water. It is also recommended to make sure that the vegetables eaten raw are properly w
