Idea of reusing water is gaining followers

PROVO — As Utah Valley enters its fifth consecutive summer of drought, the idea of reusing dirty water is gaining followers.

Some cities are looking at reuse of treated sewer effluent and untreated household gray water — from washing machines and kitchen sinks.

Provo could water all of the landscaping surrounding East Bay's industrial and commercial zones with its treated effluent — saving millions of gallons of drinking water each year, said Mark Ogren, Provo water reclamation plant manager.

"In my opinion, that would be the first thing the administration ought to look at if we are going into water reuse," he said.

Orem Mayor Jerry Washburn said his city is in the planning phase of its first water reuse project. The plan would use 1.5 million gallons a day of the city's sewer effluent to water a new 18-hole golf course by Lakeside Park.

Bruce Chesnut, director of public works for Orem, said the project would save the city money in the long run by saving drinking water.

"We wanted to put the effluent to beneficial use and eventually save up on the culinary water," he said. "I think it's a prudent and wise use of all of our resources."

According to Utah Division of Water Quality data, Santaquin was the first city in Utah County to reuse sewer effluent for commercial watering. Since 1995, the city has stored approximately 400,000 gallons a day of sewer effluent, which is then used to water alfalfa fields owned by the city. The hay is sold for a profit.

"It is a water conservation method," said Santaquin City Councilman Walter Callaway. "We use it and we reuse it and it produces something for us."

The city is one permit away from being able to use the effluent as part of a future citywide pressured irrigation system, he said.

Salt Lake County and a consortium of south Salt Lake Valley cities are studying how 28 million gallons a day of the wastewater flow from the South Valley Water Reclamation Facility could be reused to save culinary water. The treated water now flows into the Jordan River.

Utah County Commissioner Gary Herbert said "The next step is how can we recycle the effluent. Although it's not potable, it still helps to stretch the water for landscape irrigation further and longer."