Some resorts are adopting wastewater for snowmaking. Could Utah ski resorts follow suit?

SALT LAKE CITY — Some ski resorts across the world are exploring how they could make wastewater into snow. Could any of Utah’s resorts take a similar step? 

According to Mike Leurs, using wastewater for snowmaking is allowed, in concept. However, Utah ski resorts would need to get several approvals. 

“One of those is water reuse projects … must be approved by the Division of Water Rights,” Leurs said. “There was a law passed a couple years ago that said water reuse projects will not be approved if those reuse projects reduce the amount of water flowing back to the Great Salt Lake.” 

According to Leurs, proving that snowmaking would not reduce water flow to the troubled saline lake would be difficult since some water evaporates as snow melts. 

“Then, various other water-quality-type approvals would have to be granted by the [Utah] Division of Water Quality and others,” Leurs said. 

A cleanliness standard for wastewater snowmaking would need to be established by the Division of Water Quality. 

The United States Geological Survey defines wastewater as any water that has already been used. It may be contaminated from soaps, human waste, food scraps or other substances. Water reclamation treatments allow it to be reused for a variety of purposes, sometimes, even drinking water.

Worried that it’ll be unsafe? According to the Centers for Disease Control, there’s nothing to fret over. There are rigorous standards to ensure cleanliness and safety. 

Leurs thinks it’s just a matter of time before Utah ski resorts begin adopting the process. 

Some ski resorts already using wastewater for snowmaking

Outside Magazine reported that resorts in eight states, Canada, Australia and Switzerland are working to adopt the option in the name of sustainability.

Montana’s Big Sky Resort is one of them. Resort officials told Outside that its wastewater snowmaking program will be established in two phases. The resort expects to use as many as 23 million gallons of reclaimed water. 

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’s just one way they’re working to maintain operations as the climate warms and threatens winters. 

Is wastewater snowmaking the answer to shorter winters?

The Natural History Museum of Utah said the state’s average temperature has increased more than two and a half degrees since 1900. In the last 50 years, Utah’s average temperature has risen at a rate double the global average. These changes are leading to shorter, warmer winters and less snowpack. 

Decreased snowpack leads to less water throughout the year, reducing water supplies and threatening the health of ecosystems. 

Wastewater snowmaking is just one way ski resorts are attempting to stay afloat during ongoing climate change. 

Many ski areas, including those in Utah, are moving to year-round operation, offering scenic chairlift rides and thrilling descents on alpine slides and ziplines, opening trails to mountain bikers, or developing golf courses. Others host festivals during the warmer months. 

Utah State University said snowmaking, with any type of water, is only a short-term solution.