Earth 911: Skiing on reclaimed wastewater -- gross or green?

Tuesday, August 30, 2011  

"One of the most significant factors influencing a ski resort’s environmental impact is the use of man-made snow. An Arizona resort is trying out a somewhat unconventional method to reduce their use of fresh water for snowmaking – paving their slopes with snow made from reclaimed wastewater.

The Snowbowl Ski Resort in Flagstaff, Az. recently entered an agreement with the city to purchase 1.5 million gallons of wastewater per day from a local treatment plant for use in snowmaking.

The resort, located in the San Francisco Peaks, has struggled in the past to keep slopes safe for winter sports in seasons of unpredictable weather.

Resort officials say the use of treated wastewater is an environmentally-friendly way to keep slopes ski-ready without wasting public drinking water."

Get the Story:
Skiing on Sewage: Gross or Green? (Earth 911 9/29)

Also Today:
Hopis sue Flagstaff over water for snowmaking deal (AP 9/29)

Related Stories:
Uprising: Hopi Tribe fights to keep wastewater off sacred site (8/29)
Fast Company: Hopi Tribe fights bid for fake snow at sacred site (8/25)
Hopi Tribe files lawsuit to block use of wastewater at sacred site (8/24)