Report on the Feasibility of Wastewater-to-Snow Conversion for Ski Resorts in Utah

Introduction: Water Scarcity and Sustainable Development

In response to climate change impacts, global ski resorts are investigating the use of reclaimed wastewater for snowmaking. This practice aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning water management, climate action, and sustainable communities. This report examines the potential for Utah’s ski resorts to adopt this water reuse strategy, focusing on the regulatory landscape and its connection to broader sustainability objectives.

Regulatory Framework and Environmental Considerations

The implementation of wastewater snowmaking in Utah is contingent upon a multi-faceted approval process, designed to safeguard public health and environmental integrity, directly supporting key SDG targets.

Key Approval Bodies and Requirements

• Division of Water Rights: Must approve all water reuse projects.
• Division of Water Quality: Must grant approvals related to water quality standards, which would need to be specifically established for this purpose. This aligns with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by ensuring that reused water is safe and managed properly.

Legislative Hurdles and Ecosystem Protection (SDG 15)

A significant legislative consideration is a state law prohibiting water reuse projects that diminish water flow to the Great Salt Lake. This regulation directly supports SDG 15 (Life on Land), which aims to protect and restore terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.

1. Proving that snowmaking with reclaimed water would not negatively impact the lake’s water levels is a primary challenge, given the natural process of evaporation during snowmelt.
2. This requirement underscores the state’s commitment to balancing economic activity with the preservation of critical natural habitats.

Advancing Responsible Water Management (SDG 6 & SDG 12)

The use of reclaimed water is a core principle of responsible consumption and production patterns and sustainable water management.

Defining and Treating Wastewater

• The United States Geological Survey (USGS) defines wastewater as any water that has been used and may be contaminated.
• Modern water reclamation treatments can purify this water to rigorous standards, making it safe for various purposes, including, in some cases, human consumption. This process is fundamental to achieving SDG 6.
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirms that reclaimed water is safe when treated according to established, stringent standards, addressing public health concerns.

Global Precedents and Climate Action (SDG 13)

The adoption of wastewater snowmaking is an adaptive strategy to combat the effects of climate change, a central goal of SDG 13 (Climate Action).

International Adoption

• Resorts in eight U.S. states, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland are implementing this technology.
• Montana’s Big Sky Resort, for example, plans to utilize up to 23 million gallons of reclaimed water, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable operations under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Local Climate Impacts

The urgency for such measures in Utah is underscored by significant climate shifts:

1. Utah’s average temperature has risen over 2.5 degrees since 1900, at a rate double the global average in the last 50 years.
2. This warming trend leads to shorter winters and reduced natural snowpack, threatening both the ski industry and regional water supplies, highlighting the need for innovative climate adaptation.

Conclusion: A Short-Term Solution within a Broader Sustainability Strategy

While converting wastewater to snow presents a viable method for ski resorts to adapt to climate change, experts from Utah State University classify it as a short-term solution. To build truly resilient and sustainable communities (SDG 11), ski resorts are also diversifying into year-round operations. The adoption of water reuse for snowmaking is a critical step, but it must be part of a comprehensive, long-term strategy to address climate change and ensure responsible resource management in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The article’s central theme is the reuse of wastewater for snowmaking, which directly addresses the sustainable management of water and sanitation. It discusses “water reclamation treatments” and the process of turning used water into a resource.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article explicitly states that the push for wastewater snowmaking is a response to climate change. It notes that “Many ski areas have embarked on the pursuit in the face of climate change, which is decreasing natural snowpack and creating more demand for manufactured snow.” It also highlights Utah’s rising temperatures as a key driver.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article connects water management practices to ecosystem health. It mentions the legal requirement that “water reuse projects will not be approved if those reuse projects reduce the amount of water flowing back to the Great Salt Lake,” highlighting the importance of protecting this critical ecosystem. It also states that decreased snowpack “threaten[s] the health of ecosystems.”

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The initiative by ski resorts represents a shift towards more sustainable production patterns. By using reclaimed water instead of fresh water, the industry is attempting to achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article discusses how ski resorts, as significant local economic and community hubs, are building resilience. They are adapting to climate-related water scarcity to “maintain operations as the climate warms and threatens winters,” which is crucial for the sustainability of the communities that depend on them.

2. Specific Targets Identified

Target 6.3: Improve water quality by increasing recycling and safe reuse

• The entire article focuses on this target by exploring the feasibility and implementation of using treated wastewater for snowmaking. The text describes how “Water reclamation treatments allow it to be reused for a variety of purposes” and how resorts are “working to adopt the option in the name of sustainability.”

Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency and address water scarcity

• By proposing to use reclaimed water, ski resorts aim to reduce their reliance on freshwater sources, thereby increasing water-use efficiency. This is a direct response to the water scarcity challenges posed by “decreased snowpack,” which “leads to less water throughout the year, reducing water supplies.”

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards

• The article presents wastewater snowmaking as an adaptation strategy for the ski industry to cope with the impacts of climate change. It is described as “one way ski resorts are attempting to stay afloat during ongoing climate change” and a response to “shorter, warmer winters and less snowpack.”

Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation and sustainable use of inland freshwater ecosystems

• The article highlights a key legal constraint related to protecting the Great Salt Lake. The law stating that reuse projects cannot “reduce the amount of water flowing back to the Great Salt Lake” directly supports the conservation of this vital inland water body.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

Volume of reclaimed water used

• The article provides a specific quantitative measure that can serve as an indicator for progress on water reuse (Target 6.3). It mentions that Montana’s Big Sky Resort “expects to use as many as 23 million gallons of reclaimed water,” which is a direct indicator of the scale of water recycling.

Water flow to the Great Salt Lake

• An implied indicator for ecosystem protection (Target 15.1) is the measurement of water flow. The article states that proving a project “would not reduce water flow to the troubled saline lake would be difficult,” implying that this flow is a critical metric that must be monitored and maintained for project approval.

Number of resorts implementing adaptation strategies

• As an indicator of adaptive capacity (Target 13.1), the article notes the growing adoption of this practice. It reports that “resorts in eight states, Canada, Australia and Switzerland are working to adopt the option,” suggesting that tracking the number of participating resorts measures the industry’s response to climate change.

Rate of temperature increase

• The article uses temperature change as a direct indicator of the climate change problem. It states, “the state’s average temperature has increased more than two and a half degrees since 1900,” providing a clear, measurable indicator of the environmental pressure forcing these adaptations.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kslnewsradio.com