SAN CARLOS
APACHE, ARIZONA
SEPTIC PUMP OUTS & LONG-TERM SANITATION PLANNING
Community Overview
The San Carlos Apache Tribe lives on land spanning 1.8 million acres across southeastern Arizona. The Apache people have faced forced relocation to these lands, and their narrative as a community includes repeated inconsideration, violence, and relocation. In 2024, Moonshot partnered with them to address wastewater and public health challenges due to widespread septic system failures across the community.
Population: 6,885
Watershed: Upper Gila River
Poverty Rate: 51% below the poverty line
Key Environmental Challenges: Infrastructure deterioration leading to public health challenges
MHI: $25,847
Arizona Average: $39,900
Topic Areas: Relationship building, septic pump-outs, long-term sanitation planning
Project Summary
In 2024, Moonshot partnered with the San Carlos Apache Tribe to address critical sanitation challenges caused by septic system failures across Tribal lands. With over 35 septic systems failing and more than 70 in need of urgent service, this public health emergency posed risks to over 650 residents. Through EPA’s Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap initiative, Moonshot began work rooted in cultural humility and relationship-building. Emergency pump-outs were conducted by Randall Enterprises, a Tribal member–owned septic service provider, with a focus on homes with small children. Condition assessments were conducted, and findings were shared with the Tribal Environmental Department. Moonshot also serves as a liaison among Tribal leadership, and the EPA to ensure sustainable internal system management. This work is not a one-time intervention but an ongoing partnership to support environmental sovereignty, reduce health risks, and ensure wastewater resiliency.
At a Glance
CHALLENGES
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35 known septic systems failing
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70 septic systems in need of pump outs
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Health risks for 650+ residents due to surfacing raw sewage
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No centralized wastewater infrastructure
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Limited internal staffing
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Limited data on septic conditions and no system mapping
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Historic mistrust of external agencies
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Coordinated emergency septic pump-outs
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Tribal member–owned contractor to perform critical services.
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Conducted condition assessments with the Tribal Environmental Department.
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Facilitated interagency coordination for long-term wastewater planning.
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Created a wastewater coordinator role
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Built trust through culturally respectful partnership and consistent support
OUTCOMES
The Team
The engine behind the Moonshot Method is the key talent we deploy. Our goal is to bring experience and knowledge to the community through a team of peer advisors. This project was led by:
Licensed environmental engineer with over eight years of experience supporting Tribal water and wastewater utilities.
Has twenty-one years of experience in public utility management in public water and wastewater services.
The Moonshot Method
PROFILE:
Identified the public health threats for over 650 residents. More than 100 systems required intervention.
ASSESSMENT:
Coordinated with Tribal Environmental and Health Services to identify the highest-risk homes and conduct in-field assessments.
OUR METHOD IN ACTION
LAUNCH:
Initiated sewage pump-outs for 35+ high-risk homes and built long-term trust.
MAP:
Defined a phased sanitation strategy across Tribal departments and federal agencies to align resources with community-led priorities.
MENU:
Delivered a septic pump-out plan, contracted a Tribal member–owned septic provider, collected field data, and created sanitation system mapping.
