An unknown pollutant is disrupting bacteria essential to wastewater treatment at the Silver Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Park City, according to a Nov. 3 press release from the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District.
The district said the pollutant is decreasing the normal population of nitrifying bacteria, a key part of the facility's biological treatment process. Those bacteria help remove ammonia nitrogen from wastewater before treated water is released into local streams.
The district has not identified the pollutant or its source. Crews are collecting and analyzing wastewater samples throughout the Park City area to try to track it down.
Recovery could take weeks.
To rebuild the bacteria population at Silver Creek, the district is hauling thousands of gallons of nitrifying bacteria from its East Canyon Water Reclamation Facility and another Wasatch Front treatment plant. The district said it anticipates the facility could take weeks to return to normal operating levels.
During that recovery, the district said it will likely exceed the ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen levels allowed under its discharge permit. Officials said they are working with the Utah Division of Water Quality to address the issue.
The district said the situation does not pose an immediate health risk to the public. Increased nitrogen in waterways can contribute to algae blooms and excessive plant growth, which can reduce oxygen levels in streams and harm aquatic species.
In severe cases, algae blooms can be toxic to people, dogs and other animals. But the district said colder weather and the amount of nitrogen being released are among the reasons it does not expect a public risk.
The Silver Creek Water Reclamation Facility treats wastewater from Park City, Promontory and eastern Snyderville Basin and returns treated water to Silver Creek.
District asks public for help
The district is asking anyone with information about unusual chemical discharges, spills or disposal of industrial products into the sewer system to come forward.
Residents can contact General Manager Michael Luers at 435-901-8891 or [email protected].
