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In 1980, when the population of Gilbert, Arizona was 5,717, the ArizonaGroundwater Code set the stage for municipalities to develop integrated resourceplans to demonstrate the ability to provide water to their growing populations.The Code strictly limited groundwater withdrawals and strongly encouraged the useof renewable water supplies. Some municipalities responded early to the need tosurvey available water resources and creatively secure them for futuregenerations. One such municipality was the Town of Gilbert. One component of theTown's long-term assured water supply is the direct reuse and groundwaterrecharge of effluent. Early in its development, Town leaders made the commitmentto reuse or store 100 percent of its effluent for beneficial use. Since then, thecommunity has embraced its use as a contributing factor to its quality of life.This acceptance of the practice of effluent reuse has enabled the community todevelop innovative ways to combine resource development with desired amenities.This paper describes Gilbert's new groundwater recharge facility that has beenconstructed to continue to meet the community's water resource goals. Though itsprimary objective is to recharge four million gallons per day (mgd) of tertiarytreated reclaimed water and Colorado River water, the Riparian Preserve at WaterRanch is strategically located immediately behind the new regional library andserves as a passive recreation park. The library is designed to provide anexcellent view of a five-acre urban lake and seven groundwater recharge basinssituated on 120 acres. The Riparian Preserve boasts a non-conventional play area,picnic areas, an outdoor classroom,over four miles of walking paths, tworesearch/camping peninsulas, and many educational and viewing areas. Includes 9 references.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 01/01/2000 Number of Pages: 7File Size: 1 file , 73 KB