Flagstaff sticks with treated wastewater for snow

by Associated Press (September 2nd, 2010 @ 1:49pm)

AP file photo of Arizona Snowbowl.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Flagstaff City Council has voted to stick with its original contract to send treated wastewater to a northern Arizona ski resort for snowmaking.

The council voted 5-2 Thursday in favor of the contract it signed with the Arizona Snowbowl in 2002.

The contract calls for 1.5 million gallons of treated wastewater per day to go to the ski resort just outside Flagstaff from November through February.

Motions to use a combination of treated wastewater and potable water failed.

Snowmaking on the San Francisco Peaks, which American Indian tribes consider sacred, won't start immediately.

A lawsuit pending in federal court in Arizona contends the Forest Service failed to consider the human health risks of ingesting artificial snow made with treated wastewater.

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What are the costs to the taxpayer?

gz9gjg

Not sure what costs Parker-Ballpoint is concerned about . . . If the ski resort contracts with the City to purchase additional water for snow-making, generating more revenue for the city, what does this cost the taxpayers? Snow-making can extend the ski season and keep snow quality consistent. That attracts more skiers, to visit more often, which increases the tourism revenue for the city and surrounding area.

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Why not let nature do it? If it snows,

Parker-Ballpoint

then people can ski. If not, then a bad business idea fails. Pretty basic concept. Why should the area taxpayers shoulder the expenses for private industry? Basing these taxes on the argument that the "whole population pays so the whole population wins" is a crock of crapola. The real winners are the politicians and corporate heads that are in bed with each other - but it's the public that actually gets screwed.

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The yellow snow is cheaper to use.

abogada987

.

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