FAQs About Snowmaking & Hydrology at Arizona
Snowbowl
Do you think snowmaking is the best use of reclaimed water,
given the Southwest’s continuing drought and our normal desert
climate? Use of reclaimed water is a public policy decision
that is outside the scope of our study. The City of Flagstaff has
approved providing reclaimed water for this use, and the ADEQ has
certified A+ reclaimed water for snowmaking.
Is using reclaimed water the best option for making snow?
Using reclaimed water for snowmaking is a feasible option.
Other options would include drilling a well and hauling potable
water. Given the long-term water predicament Arizona and other states
in the west are facing, using reclaimed water to make snow is an
environmentally and economically responsible decision.
How can you guarantee that Snowbowl will always have reclaimed
water to make snow? What if the City finds more important
needs for it in the future? That question is outside the scope of
our decision. The Coconino National Forest cannot predict what the
City of Flagstaff will decide to do with its reclaimed water in
the future. Loss of this source of water is an inherent risk that
the parties involved understand.
How does this proposal affect the regional water supply
/ quality? The FEIS concludes a negligible net effect to
the groundwater supply beneath Flagstaff. The reduction in aquifer
recharge resulting from creating artificial snow is a minute fraction
of the normal annual recharge into the regional aquifer.
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Does the EIS show conclusively that use of reclaimed water
for snowmaking does not present a threat to human health from heavy
metals, PPCPs (pharmaceuticals and personal care products), or other
organic or inorganic constituents? Flagstaff’s reclaimed
water meets all state and federal surface and ground water quality
standards for this water. It is important for the Forest Service
to carefully consider the potential health concerns regarding using
reclaimed water for snowmaking. That is why the role played by state
and federal water regulating agencies is vital. The public health
issues relevant to using reclaimed water are regulated by the EPA
and ADEQ, and these agencies have approved reclaimed water for the
direct application in snowmaking. The Rio de Flag Water Reclamation
Facility currently provides reclaimed water for turf irrigation
in many places in and around Flagstaff, including on the Flagstaff
Unified School District school grounds and at City parks. Reclaimed
water from the Wildcat Hill wastewater treatment plant (not Class
A) is used for irrigation at golf courses and for dust control at
various locations in east Flagstaff. In other words, reclaimed water
is already being widely used in the Flagstaff community.
Why does the Forest Service assume skiers will flock to
the Snowbowl to ski on artificial snow? During the public
comment period it became evident that a significant demand exists
for snowmaking, despite the fact that the proposal stated that the
snow would be made from reclaimed water. The majority of ski areas
west of the Mississippi River already make artificial snow, which
does not appear to deter use of these facilities. Furthermore, in
a typical year, artificial snow at the Snowbowl will form a base
that will help retain natural snow. During typical years, people
will be skiing on natural snow covering an artificial snow base.
Will my kids get sick if they eat snow made from treated
wastewater? Snow made from treated wastewater has been
certified and approved for this use by the EPA and the ADEQ. Therefore,
in the opinion of those agencies, the use of reclaimed water for
snowmaking is not a health risk. Also, this same reclaimed water
has been used to irrigate grass and landscaping at City parks and
school grounds for a number of years. Anyone who eats any snow should
be aware of what he or she may be ingesting. Snow at a ski area
may have come in contact with animals, litter, boots, saliva, petroleum
products from grooming equipment, etc.
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