A resort in the US has announced plans to become the world's first resort us 100% waste water in their snowmaking.
Arizona Snowbowl in the San Francisco Peaks is planning to use 180 million gallons of recycled and treated waste water according to reports. The resort plans to use the waste water, collected from treated sewage, in an attempt to cut down the use of clean drinking water in resort. The water will be stored in a reservoir in San Francisco Peaks and then used in the resort's snow cannons and other snow making equipment.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has described the water as safe to use, as long as it is treated. Reports state that some environmentalists had quoted studies that the treated water could still contain industrial pollutants and carcinogens, there are also reports that Native American tribes have opposed the plans as the land is on sacred ground.
This is a very interesting concept and as long as the water is proven to be safe and clean, the local Native American tribes can be appeased and pumping the water 15 miles doesn't counter balance the positives. With more resorts looking for more environmental ideas, such as Val Thorens' new solar panelled hotel and Tignes using their hydroelectric dam, the environmental impact of skiing and snowboarding in now surely moving in the right direction.
Written by Stephen Adam
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