The Cedar Valley Water Conservancy in Cedar City, Utah, announced a proposal for a wastewater treatment plan. This proposal will allow more water to be recirculated into the city’s system.
“Cedar City, Enoch City and the county send about three million gallons of wastewater each day to a treatment plant. “After treatment, the water was discharged into the desert, where it could seep back into the ground and support cattle grazing. The local water district and cities saw an opportunity to reuse that water in their system and began a multi-phase project.”
Phase one began in 2024, phase two in 2025 and phase three is estimated to be completed by 2030. U.S. Rep. Celeste Malloy and Utah State Rep. Rex Shipp are helping the district secure funds from the federal and state governments.
“The first two phases were funded through grants and contributions from the cities and district, with support securing state and federal funds,” Trower continued. ”More than $11 million has been obtained so far, (and) a future phase is planned.”
The current water supply yields 28,000 acre-feet a year, but only 21,000 acre-feet is naturally replenished, leaving a 7,000 acre-feet deficit. This plan will allow for more non-potable water to be used for irrigation, landscaping and other green spaces, leaving the drinkable groundwater available for consumption.
“Cedar Valley does not have a lot of irrigation water,” Trower said. “We have Coal Creek, which runs sometimes during the year, but we don’t actually have a river that runs through our valley, so most of the water that comes and is used for irrigation comes through groundwater, including farmers. It all has to be pumped out of the ground. Traditionally, our water here is very high in mud and solids, and so all of that has to be cleared out in order for it to be utilized.”
The groundwater is already passing through a cleaning system to be considered potable and safe, but this new plan will allow water to be used twice.
The wastewater is being treated using microorganisms that break down the solids to allow it to pass through the filters. Cedar Valley Water Conservancy is working on new technology that utilizes ultraviolet light as a natural cleaner.
To learn more about this project, visit the Cedar Valley Water Conservancy website.
Author: Lainey Porter
Photo: Courtesy of Cedar Valley Water Conservancy
Editor: Payson Davis
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