Wastewater to be used to create snow for ski resort

A US ski resort will soon be making use of treated wastewater to create snow for its slopes, according to The Morning Call. Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center, US, has received a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that will enable it to use highly treated effluent on its slopes.

The mountain resort has invested almost $800,000 (£495,908) into the construction of its own wastewater treatment facility and an infrastructure that recycles water for reuse in the hotel and day visitor facilities. This investment will allow the implementation of the plan to create snow from the treated wastewater from the 2014 to 2015 ski season, reports the news provider.

Wastewater that will be used to create snow will be put through a mechanical separation system to separate solid and liquid waste. The liquid waste will then be put through a biological treatment and then transferred to a PVC-lined pond at the base of the mountain. By this time the water will be clear and ready to use, reports to the news provider.

According to Bear Creek general manager, Mark Schroetel, the water will be used to create snow and to refill the local aquifer. An extra $70,000 is to be invested in more equipment that will ensure the wastewater is suitable to be mixed with runoff water from the ponds used to make snow in a traditional holding pond, reports The Morning Call. The mixed snow will then be used on the slopes.

Lisa Kasianowitz, state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) information specialist, told the news provider: "The treatment requirements for these types of reuse proposals are more stringent than those of typical land application projects, given that human contact will be inevitable. Of particular concern for these reuse cases is human contact with the wastewater, given that bacteria or other microorganisms may be present.

"The ultraviolet disinfection treatment will eliminate the need for concern. DEP's stringent reuse requirements would not allow for reuse of wastewater that could have the potential to cause a concern."