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Parks director warns Woods Ranch spring may be downgraded to non‑potable after repeated contamination
Summary
Bryce, Parks & Recreation, told the Iron County Commission multiple E. coli and total coliform positives at Woods Ranch have triggered a level‑2 assessment; staff say converting the spring to non‑potable or installing a chlorination system could cost tens of thousands of dollars and will limit public drinking water access.
Bryce, Parks & Recreation operations lead, told the Iron County Commission on June 7 that repeated positive tests for E. coli and total coliform in the Woods Ranch spring have forced county staff to consider making the source non‑potable or installing a costly chlorination system.
Bryce said the Division of Drinking Water notified the county that the spring’s sanitary survey triggered a level‑2 assessment after two positive E. coli samples during the operating season. "We've had, back to back samples. So E. coli and total coliform both have tested positive up there," Bryce said, adding that the county will discuss options after a scheduled sanitary survey with Paul Wright.
Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives. Bryce said Alpha Engineering quoted roughly $12,000 for plans to add a chlorinator and another $15,000–$20,000 to install one. He noted that the spring’s overflow ties into a downstream creek, which means any chlorination system would require separate containment and secondary holding tanks to avoid chlorine discharge into the overflow.
The county reported on operational impacts: Woods Ranch opened June 1; there are three frost‑free hydrants in the park, and some cabin owners historically haul water. Bryce said converting the spring to non‑potable would leave water available for fire suppression and facility uses but “not be drinking water.” He urged commissioners to review an attached parks report before deciding whether to pursue chlorination, redevelop the spring, or formally declare the source non‑potable.
Why it matters: the change could alter visitor use, require signage and public notification, increase maintenance and sampling responsibilities (including multiple residual samples per week if chlorinated), and carry multi‑thousand‑dollar upfront engineering and installation costs.
What’s next: staff will report back after the sanitary survey and additional cost estimates; the commission asked to be kept apprised before any final decision on retaining potable status or converting the source to non‑potable.
