Water Recycling

The return flow of CUP water (unconsumed water) delivered to South Utah County areas would seep or flow to Utah Lake and be used by the District to make exchanges to Jordanelle Reservoir in increase the Federal water supply of the M&I System. There is, therefore, no opportunity for others to re-use the return flows of CUP water for other purposes in this area. The percentage of water that may be recaptured in Utah Lake and exchanged to Jordanelle Reservoir is subject to determination by the State Engineer’s office, but is estimated to be 35 percent of the amount of water delivered to South Utah County for outdoor secondary systems.

Return flows of CUP water delivered to North Utah County would likewise be applied to outdoor vegetation within secondary systems and seep or flow to Utah Lake, however the State Engineer has determined that return flows from North Utah County are not available as Federal return flow. These return flows accrue to Utah Lake water right holders and become part of the lake water supply.

CUP water delivered to Salt Lake County is primarily treated and used within culinary systems. Return flows therefore appear at wastewater treatment plants in addition to seepage to the groundwater basin. Approximately 10,500 acre-feet (15 percent) of the 70,000 acre-feet of municipal water contracted from Jordanelle Reservoir under the M&I System and 10,500 acre-feet (35 percent) of the 30,000 acre-feet of municipal water contracted from Strawberry Reservoir under the Utah Lake System is estimated to reach the wastewater treatment plants under full water deliveries. The ULS repayment contract between the District and the Department of the Interior requires the District and its petitioners in Salt Lake County to demonstrate progress towards recycling up to 18,000 acre-feet of water by the year 2033. The amount specified in the repayment contract begins with 1,000 acre-feet by the year 2016 and increases by 1,000 acre-feet per year until reaching the full amount of 18,000 acre-feet in the year 2033. Thereafter, a minimum of 18,000 acre-feet must be recycled each year until the year 2050.

Bonneville Unit Water Recycling