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Recycle Utah

Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

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flushable

Water In, Water Out: Reclaiming Wastewater

April 26, 2023 by zerowaste@recycleutah.org


According to Mike Luers, general manager of the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation
District (SBWRD)
they treat 4,000,00 gallons of wastewater per day; 5,000,000 gallons
per day during peak season. In 2022 the two local wastewater reclamation plant
treated 1.44 billion gallons of used water!


Our water is sourced from wells, springs, creeks, mine tunnels and the Echo Reservoir.
It’s provided to us by various water companies. We never own it. SBWDB “reclaims” it—
treats it, then discharges it into local streams. It flows into reservoirs and eventually, into
the Great Salt Lake. It’s an efficient ecological system.


According to Mike, there are several “habits that can help our local environment.”

  • Never flush down the toilet: “flushable” wipes, dental floss, tampons, condoms, toothpaste caps or other personal care products. This stuff doesn’t break down and either gets wrapped around the plant’s powerful pumps, or needs to be screened out of huge pipes before the treatment process begins. Throw these items in the trash!
  • Don’t pour grease and cooking oil down the drain. In pipes, grease hardens and oils form a putty-like substance. These may block pipes in your home and even cause raw sewage to back up. They can clog up the wastewater plant’s pipes. Put used grease and oil in a container and throw it in the trash!
  • Even though urine contains most of the pharmaceuticals in wastewater, flushing them down the toilet adds more. Our district’s reclamation plants use advanced treatment methods but pharmaceuticals cannot be removed. Discharged into streams, they are absorbed by fish and can affect their development. Take unused medications to a drop-off box at the Sheriff or Police Office, the Redstone Clinic, or one of Recycle Utah’s Hazardous Waste Days.
  • Mike would love to give you or your group a tour of our reclamation facility. Call him at (435) 649 – 7993, or email him at mluers@sbwrd.org.

By Bev Harrison

Filed Under: Water Tagged With: #greentips, #recycle utah, #sustainability, #water conservation, flushable, sewer, water reclamation, wipes

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Copyright © 2025

  • About
    ▼
    • Our Impact
    • Our Team
    • Job Opportunities
    • Financial Statements
  • Services
    ▼
    • Materials Accepted
    • Remote Glass Recycling Bins
    • Thrift Store
    • Moving Materials for Sale
    • Self Serve Paper Shredder
    • Recycling Bin Rentals
    • CSA Pick Up
    • Community Trash Cleanups
    • Composting
    • Curbside Recycling
    • Household Hazardous Waste
      ▼
      • Medicine Disposal
  • Education
    ▼
    • Elementary & Adult Education
    • Green Business Program
    • Latinx Outreach
    • Blog
  • Support
    ▼
    • Donate Now
    • Support Recycle Utah’s Plans for the Future
    • Sponsor a Bin
    • Volunteer
    • Shop and Donate
    • Donate Your Car
    • 2024 Supporters
  • Events