Jordanelle growth distressing Heber

In fact, regional plans stemming from the Federal Clean Water Act prohibit any surface discharges into the Provo drainage, Pitkin said.

Building a new mechanical system in Wasatch County would require not only the state's approval but also an alteration of the current regional plan, according to Don Ostler, director of the Division of Water Quality.

A mechanical treatment system in Heber Valley would also need to be outfitted with technology to remove phosphorous, which acts like a fertilizer causing aquatic plants and algae to grow "like crazy," Ostler said.

"When you grow all of those plants, it uses up all the oxygen so the fish can't survive. They become diseased and stressed," he said. "Organic matter also creates taste and odor problems in drinking water downstream."

Most agree a mechanical system capable of removing phosphorous would be extremely expensive to operate — four to five times the cost of Heber's land-application system, Wright said.

On top of higher operational costs, approximately $20 million is needed to build such a mechanical system.

It all adds up to potentially higher sewer fees because of Jordanelle's growth for Heber Valley residents . Hardly a winning political proposition.

"We've paid for the (existing) plant. Now, (Wasatch County) wants the excess capacity, and they haven't paid for any of it. That really is the only issue," said Heber City Mayor Lynn Adams, who sits on the seven-member administrative control board overseeing the facility.

"Midway and Heber cities have bought the present capacity, and we should be able to use it for our future growth needs first and not the county's needs because they haven't paid a cent on it," Adams said.

Even with current impact fees fixed at roughly $3,200 per hookup, Jordanelle's first 3,000 units would generate less than half of the $20 million needed to construct a new plant.

Dan Matthews, manager of the Jordanelle Special Service District, said he doesn't understand what all the bickering is about.

"The original plan back in '93 was to build a treatment plant up here (in Jordanelle)," Matthews said. "At that time the political powers said, 'No, we would rather have it in Heber. It will help the Heber Valley plant.' Three or four years pass by the time it is readdressed and now they are saying, 'We don't want the sewer.' "

Wasatch County commissioners adopted a resolution earlier this month authorizing Matthews to begin the process of amending the law. A pilot study of the feasibility of building a new mechanical system will also be launched.