County to advance grant-funded feasibility study on moving Ogden Valley wastewater over divide

The Weber County Commission reviewed a master agreement and associated task order on Monday for a grant-funded feasibility study to examine options for moving wastewater from Ogden Valley over the divide.

A presenter described the agreement and task order as the contractual vehicle to carry out an RFP-funded study secured with a grant from the state Division of Water Quality. The presenter said the study will examine alternatives — including moving wastewater to a different sewer system across the divide, installing mechanical systems in the valley, or other treatment options such as reverse osmosis — and will review previous Ogden Valley studies and more recent work. Staff said the county will not expend local funds because the grant covers the study costs.

The presenter said that if the commission approves the contracts the item will appear on the next day's agenda for a formal vote and that the county plans to convene a stakeholder team representing the new city, major water and sewer districts, ski-resort representatives and other major parties in the northern Ogden Valley. The presenter confirmed environmental issues specified in the RFP — including algae blooms and elevated nitrate concerns in local water supplies — are part of the study scope.

Staff estimated a project timeline of roughly six to nine months from kickoff and said the county is targeting completion "before the end of the year." The presenter additionally noted the task order details the RFP criteria the consultant will be required to study and said a stakeholder kickoff meeting will follow contract approval.

No final county approval of the master agreement or task order was taken during the work session; staff asked commissioners to vote on the two separate documents on the commission meeting agenda scheduled the following day.