1. Proposed Lower Silver Creek Sewer Project
Summit County, Utah
Richard Bullough, PhD

2. Project Summary
Request for grant funding to make sewer expansion into lower Silver Creek neighborhood financially feasible
Proposed project area identified in two TMDLs, Summit County study, and Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation study as critical area for nutrient reduction through sewer expansion
The proposed project will result in an immediate improvement of water quality, and will allow for future water quality improvement through sewer expansion to upper Silver Creek

4. Proposed Project Area
High-density mixed use area in lower Silver Creek. Consists of businesses, homes, and undeveloped commercial and residential lots
Straddles two tributaries of the Weber River, East Canyon Creek and Silver Creek
Area identified in two separate TMDLs as priority for nutrient reduction due to septic systems
Critical “hub” allowing for sewer expansion to entire Silver Creek drainage

5. Why is the Project Needed
Served by aging, poorly functioning septic systems
Lower area of Silver Creek is mixed-use, high-density, and high-demand, with known septic failure
Identified as priority area in two separate TMDLs
Two additional studies (SBWRD, SCHD) indicate septic systems are contributing to pollutants in the streams
Extending sewer to lower Silver Creek will immediately reduce nutrient load into the watershed and will further allow for future sewer expansion to upper Silver Creek

6. Silver Creek and TMDL
East Canyon Creek and Reservoir TMDL (2010) and Rockport and Echo TMDL (2014) identify this neighborhood as a priority nutrient load reduction area based on septic contributions.
Poor soils, high ground water, aging systems
Both TMDLs recommend long-term phosphorus load reduction from septic systems, and the Echo TMDL also identifies nitrogen reduction.
Nitrogen reduction can only be achieved through sewering

7. Progress and commitment to Date
Sewer required in new subdivisions in the area (Woodside)
Upsizing of lines by SBWRD to proposed project area (over $400,000 committed)
Public meetings with owners and Summit County Council
Exploration of bonding and Summit County financing
Summit County agreement to finance project
Signed waivers from over half of property owners
Engineered plans for proposed project complete
Bids for proposed project received

8. SBWRD Contributions to Date

9. Why the Grant Request?
At time of initial public meetings, estimated cost approximately $600,000. Actual bid cost over $1,000,000
Repayment cost per property owner, over 20 years, is prohibitively expensive, making the project not feasible at current bid
Without the proposed project, TMDL and water quality will not be addressed, and extending sewer further into the drainage is impossible