Arizona Snowbowl Guarantees Its Water Supply

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Arizona Snowbowl Guarantees Its Water Supply

SAM Magazine—Flagstaff, Ariz., Aug. 13, 2014—Arizona Snowbowl will have access to reclaimed wastewater for snowmaking for the next 20 years now that the city of Flagstaff has approved an extension of Snowbowl’s agreement with the city.

Snowbowl had requested the extension to ensure its water supply before the resort borrowed and invested in additional snowmaking and other improvements.

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Snowbowl had signed a five-year agreement for water in 2002, with an option for three extensions. Due to legal delays, though, Snowbowl wasn’t able to tap the water supply until December 2012.

Under terms of the agreement, Snowbowl can draw up to 1.5 million gallons a day from November through February, and up to 2.25 million gallons a day upon approval of the city’s utilities director. Flagstaff has agreed to supply total withdrawals for the four months of at least 180 million gallons.

Flagstaff’s wastewater treatment plants produce an average of more than 6 million gallons a day, and there are few other users for this water during the winter season.