What’s in that Fake Snow?

The upcoming 2012-2013 ski season will mark another “first” in snowmaking procedure; it will be the first season that a resort will use 100% sewage effluent to make artificial snow. According to a recent New York Times article, the Arizona Snowbowl will use the treated sewage effluent to make snow but opponents are concerned about the potential environmental and health effects.

Opponents include environmental groups and American Indian tribes. They are concerned about the impact on the alpine tundra, aquifer areas, and human health if skiers ingest the snow. The tribes also consider the land sacred and believe the wastewater will desecrate it.

Flagstaff conducted an independent test of the water and found endocrine disrupting chemicals such as hormones, antibiotics, and steroids, among others. Also, according to the scientist who studied the water, the effects of freezing, thawing, and UV light on the chemical compounds are unknown.

But the U.S. Forest Service owns the land and says the treated water meets the highest standards (just below drinking water) and is used for other purposes such as irrigating sports fields, parks, and golf courses. The Forest Service did not consider the chemicals in its assessment of the water but the law does not require it to do so to consider the water safe. According to the article, the Environmental Protection Agency is studying the chemicals and if they become regulated, both Flagstaff and the Snowbowl will adjust water treatment to accommodate the requirements.

The city benefits from the effluent snowmaking because the city has contracted with the Snowbowl to sell the water from its sewage treatment plant. Increased snowmaking also allows for a more consistent ski season which can draw more customers to the area for local businesses.