Flagstaff wastewater could have been used for slurry
By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau,
Gallup Independent, Dec. 14, 2006
FLAGSTAFF — One of the alternatives considered but eliminated from detailed study in the Black Mesa Project Environmental Impact Statement was the use of reclaimed wastewater from the City of Flagstaff.
According to the EIS prepared by the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Peabody Energy Co. evaluated the use of reclaimed sanitary wastewater from Flagstaff to supply at least a portion of the supply needed by the Kayenta and Black Mesa mining operations.
The rejected alternative consisted of a new pipeline to deliver "graywater" from the Flagstaff's Wildcat Hill Treatment Plant to the existing coal-slurry pipeline near Gray Mountain, following U.S. Hwy. 89 North.
Initially, Flagstaff indicated 4,388 acre-feet of gray water being discharged into the Rio de Flag would be available for use; however, by the time the EIS report was prepared, the city downscaled its estimate of available water to 3,095 acre feet per year.
Ron Doba, utilities director for the City of Flagstaff, said Wednesday that the gray water alternative is no longer available to Peabody.
Doba said he talked to the Black Mesa people some time back, "and there was discussion over whether reclaimed water could be utilized for the project. But we have committed to the use of that water since then, and it's no longer available."
Reclaimed water from the treatment plant is sold, Doba said; however, one purchaser has been unable to use the water it bought.
"We've got a contract with the (Arizona) Snowbowl for water for the Peaks, however, that's still in litigation," Doba said. Meanwhile, there claimed wastewater secured by Snowbowl owners is being held in reserve.
The Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and others have appealed a U.S. Forest Service decision that permits the expansion of the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort and the use of 1.5 million gallons of wastewater per day over 120 days to make artificial snow.
A 10-million-gallon snowmaking reservoir for the reclaimed water also would be built near the top terminal of the existing Sunset Chairlift.
The tribes have charged that the forest service decision infringes on their religious rights, and have been awaiting a decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
It's not clear when the court will make its ruling. Regardless of the decision, either party then could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Peaks are part of public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which leases out 777 acres of the mountain to the ski resort.
Doba said the city is now using 100 percent of its reclaimed water in the summertime.
"We're converting industrial uses over to reclaimed water. It's probably one of the best water conservation tools that we have.
Salt River
proposes to buy coal from Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe.
"As the city grows, it's going to generate more water, obviously, but we're not in a position right now that we can make a commitment for any more reclaimed water during the summer months," he said.
"It's used for golf courses, it's used for residential irrigation, it's used for the papermaking plant here in Flagstaff. It's used for all the school athletic fields, it's used for all the parks, it's used for all the public grounds."
Doba said the city is in good shape as far as meeting its water needs at present. "But we need to continue to plan ahead because water is not an unlimited resource here in the state of Arizona."
Flagstaff is anticipated to grow at a rate of around 2-1/2 percent a year, he said. "It's slow growth here in Flagstaff, nothing compared to the Phoenix area."
In order to meet that growth, Doba said, the city is continuing to develop groundwater resources around the area.
In order to meet that growth, Doba said, the city is continuing to develop groundwater resources around the area.
In addition to C-aquifer development for the Peabody operation and possible future use by the tribes, Flagstaff wants to develop its own water sources on the recently acquired ranch.
He said the city is trying to work out a management agreement with the Navajo and Hopi tribes to manage groundwater pumping at a sustainable level and avoid any environmental impact.
Doba said the Black Mesa EIS could have an impact on Flagstaff. He said he met with the Bureau of Reclamation some time ago when they started doing work on the project.
"We determined some pumpage numbers that Flagstaff may be pumping in the future. I believe that those numbers were included in the hydrology work that was in there, but it remains to be confirmed.
"If it's in there, that's one thing; but if it's not in there, Flagstaff wants to be considered that we're going to be using groundwater from that area as well," Doba said. |
