Protecting and Restoring Water Quality in Teton County.

 
 

Teton County’s drinking water originates in the high country of national park and national forest lands. As a result, parts of the county have excellent drinking water; however, water quality in other parts of the county raises serious concerns about human and environmental health.

Providing access to clean drinking water is a fundamental function of local government, yet doing so grows more challenging and divisive every year, for several reasons, including:

  • As development pressure increases, more small wastewater facilities (aka septic systems) are constructed in unsuitable soils that do not provide adequate waste removal.

  • As more people move here from cities, we see less public awareness that their household wastewater is treated by a septic system that requires periodic inspection and maintenance.

  • Drought, earlier run-off, and warmer weather reduce river flows and concentrate pollution.

It’s time to get serious about our water quality.

Our Water Situation – And What I’ve Done

Picture a big basin filled with water and gravel: that’s much of Teton County down to about Munger Mountain. Then the basin tightens as it enters the Snake River Canyon. Our drinking water comes from the saturated gravel along the Snake, called an aquifer. Recognizing its importance to our community, the U.S. EPA has designated the Snake River Aquifer a “sole source aquifer.” Unfortunately, this aquifer also receives wastewater from thousands of residential septic systems and large-capacity wastewater treatment facilities.

Teton County faces several water quality challenges, with these four at the top of the list:

Hoback: Hoback drinking water contains high levels of nitrate, which can be dangerous to public health.

  • I advocated for $60,000 to support efforts to create a water and sewer district in Hoback, which would allow the district to apply for state and federal construction funds needed to upgrade drinking water supplies and wastewater treatment facilities.

Septic Systems: Teton County has perhaps 3500 residential septic systems. An unknown number do not work properly, fouling our aquifer.

  • I have advocated for the County to create and phase in an inspection and maintenance program for septic systems, along with public education and financial incentives.

  • I have opposed decisions to short circuit public review of new development (e.g. eliminate sketch plan review) when doing so undermines the goal of protecting water quality.

Flat and Fish Creeks: The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has designated Fish and Flat Creeks impaired due to their failure to meet water quality standards.

  • I worked for a comprehensive water analysis to develop a plan for protecting and improving water quality in Teton County.

  • I also pushed for putting a $10 million water quality measure on the SPET ballot in November to implement this plan. (Please vote yes for SPET #15!).

Wastewater Treatment: The wastewater treatment plant in South Park (which the Town of Jackson owns and operates) needs an upgrade: it now discharges high levels of ammonia, raising concerns for aquatic life.

  • Based upon the results of the forthcoming water quality plan, I will promote a partnership to expand the wastewater treatment plant, connect more homes currently using septic systems to the plant, and/or modernize the plant. I have supported investments to improve treatment with natural wetlands.

 

Leading up to the local 2022 election, Protect Our Water Jackson Hole talked with candidates about how they planned to prioritize water quality, alongside other community needs, once they are in office. Watch my response video here.

 

My Priorities

I am running for re-election because we have much yet to do to protect and restore our water quality. It’s no secret that I have pushed to address our water quality problems with all due dispatch; and at times, I have been dissatisfied with the commission’s often timid actions to protect and improve our water quality. While the county is making good progress, I am eager to continue moving forward.

These are my top six priorities for my second term:

  • Establish an inspection and maintenance program for residential septic systems, starting with the highest priority locations.

  • Better protect public water systems.

  • Hire a water quality specialist to oversee our several water quality initiatives

  • Support the creation of a water and sewer district in Hoback.

  • Advocate for expedited cleanup of contamination in Fish Creek.

  • Press Wyoming DEQ to adopt more protective water quality goals in their upcoming “triennial review” of state water quality standards, including measures to limit concentrations of pathogens in low flow streams used for wading, swimming and child’s play.

 
 

Finally, please support the Water Quality Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) measure to fund water quality projects that will protect and improve surface and groundwater resources in Teton County. Learn more here:

Nikki Kaufman