Sweetwater Wetland is a constructed wetland located east of the Santa Cruz River near Prince Road, Tucson. Built in 1996, it helps treat secondary effluent and backwash from the adjacent Roger Road Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Sweetwater also serves as an environmental education facility and habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
Rarities seen here over the years include Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)and Chestnut-sided warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica).
Harris Hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) are often seen in the large eucalyptus trees north of Sweetwater, near the Roger Road Wastewater Treatment Plant
Sweetwater Wetland consists of several ponds surrounded by cattails, willows, and cottonwoods. Several species of ducks visit the ponds while Red-winged, Yellow-headed, and Brewer's blackbirds frequent the cattails. Thick stands of saltbush provide cover to Song sparrows, Abert's towhees, Cactus wrens, and many other birds.
More about sewerage treatment.
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