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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.