Proposed $22M wastewater reservoir in southern Utah is a health risk, study claims

Critics say reuse reservoir would lead to surge in cancer, birth defects, and legions of other illnesses

Her warning follows one issued a few weeks ago by geophysicist and retired university dean of engineering, Wayne Pennington, who told city officials that the design of the reservoir the Washington County Water District plans to build on about 90 acres in Ivins between Kwavasa Drive and Highway 91 was poor and posed a flooding risk.

Arch and certified professional geologist Daniel Krupicka prepared the report on their own time and dime for the Dry Wash Study Group, a group of residents formed to oppose the reservoir. Dry Wash Reservoir is a critical component in the district’s 20-year master plan to secure another 47,000 acre-feet of water by 2042 to keep pace with growth. By storing treated wastewater that could be used for outdoor irrigation, the reservoirs would free up culinary water to be used to supply new homes.

“The partially treated wastewater also contains carcinogens, neurotoxins, and cardiac toxins, including heavy metals such as arsenic and lead; nitrates from fertilizers and human waste; PFAS from man-made substances such as Teflon and waterproofing; and PCBs from plastics,” according to the report. Forever chemicals, which are difficult to destroy, are linked to cancer and health issues.

As for those who argue that St. George has been watering its golf courses with treated wastewater for years, Arch counters that much of the findings in the group’s report mirror new research and findings not available in the past. Since many of those most vulnerable to toxic dust — young families with children, the elderly and retirees — live downwind of the proposed reservoir, the pediatrician said, the city should not rush to a decision.

Given the recent announcements by the CDC and EPA, Moench told The Salt Lake Tribune, the concern Arch and other Ivins residents have expressed about wind-borne contaminants is not overblown or indicative of a NIMBY mentality. He said PFAS are found in virtually anything that comes from a sewage treatment plant.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

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