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City examines wastewater reuse options; engineers estimate $2.3M upgrade to reach Grade‑1 reuse quality
Summary
City staff said reaching Grade‑1 reuse water at the new treatment plant would require roughly $2.3 million in additional treatment (scrubbers/UV) while other reuse options and regulatory questions remain under review; an ongoing state reuse application is contested by third parties concerned about Great Salt Lake impacts.
City staff briefed the council on June 18 about options to reuse wastewater from Grantsville’s new treatment plant and the regulatory and cost tradeoffs involved.
Michael (city manager) said engineering feedback indicates upgrading the plant to produce Grade‑1 reuse water — water that can be used for more sensitive irrigation and other high‑value uses — would require about $2.3 million in additional equipment and treatment, including scrubbers and additional UV systems. Staff also discussed an $800,000 option for a septic/RV waste disposal facility but said that is not recommended now because Tooele County already offers similar services and because such loads complicate treatment and increase costs.
The city has applied for a reuse permit with the state; Michael said the application has been contested by groups concerned about the Great Salt Lake’s declining levels. Staff argued the city’s discharge currently does not flow to the Great Salt Lake and that reuse on local sites would be a water‑conservation benefit. However, staff noted a regulatory question: if reused water is counted toward the city’s water‑extraction credits, the city could face added cost or administrative requirements. City staff said they are scheduling discussions with the state engineer and the Department of Water Resources to resolve the questions before committing to major capital work.
Staff cautioned that while retrofitting for reuse now could be efficient while the plant is under construction, the city could also stage upgrades later if the regulatory picture and cost‑benefit analysis favor that path. Councilmembers asked for continued cost estimates, and the city manager said staff would report back after meetings with state regulators and the plant engineer.
