I was disappointed to read the advisory that we keep
our eyes peeled for yellow snow on the ski slopes because the
Coconino National Forest has approved the use of treated wastewater
for snowmaking at the Arizona Snowbowl ski area (HCN, 3/21/05:
Arizona returns to the desert). Statements like these perpetuate
misunderstandings about reclaimed water.
Flagstaff uses
over 500 million gallons of reclaimed water each year for
irrigation of recreational areas and public landscapes.
Flagstaff’s reclaimed water is rated Class A+ by the Arizona
Department of Environmental Quality, the highest quality of
reclaimed water possible. Should snowmaking become a reality, it is
difficult to believe that we would see yellow snow on the slopes of
the Arizona Snowbowl.
Celia
Barotz
Flagstaff, Arizona
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Ski snow won’t be yellow on San Francisco Peaks.
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