Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#water conservation

Water In, Water Out: Reclaiming Wastewater

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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

All About Bees

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After a long period of hibernating throughout the winter, bees are slowly starting to emerge

as spring is now upon us. Spring is a crucial time for bees as colonies begin forming and

new colonies appear again. As we face the climate change crisis, we now see a decline in

pollinator species such as butterflies, flies, beetles, and, most importantly, our honey bees.

Research has shown that harmful pesticides such as carbaryl have been a factor in the

decline of bees. However, the most significant impact of the decline is climate change

caused by global warming.

Estimates have shown that around 75% of the crops we grow for food depend on pollinators

to a certain extent. They play a prominent role in producing our food supply, so their

protection needs to be a priority.

Listed below are ways you can help our bees this season:

  • Using natural or organic pest control solutions is a great way to stop using pesticides. Neem oil is an excellent option, or you can make a DIY insecticidal soap.
  • Don’t get rid of your dandelions, at least until they bloom. Dandelions are a food source for bees that provide pollen and nectar.
  • Planting native flowers that thrive in your region attracts bees to your garden. Creating a bee garden will attract not only bees but other pollinators as well.
  • Purchasing organic honey items from your local beekeepers. Local beekeepers ensure bees are well cared for and support bee population growth.

We can work together to help save the bees!

By Miriam Flores

Drought-Tolerant Trees and Water Conservation

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Conserving water is a crucial step towards a more sustainable environment. When one uses water in their home, energy is used to filter, clean, and pump the water. Therefore, reducing your water usage can further reduce your carbon footprint. By using less water, you are helping reduce pollution as well as conserving fuel resources. It is one of the small steps we can take towards protecting our environment. 

Considering that we live in Utah, droughts are a serious issue. Already in a water-deprived position, the last thing we want to do is lessen water reserves that certain species and ecosystems rely on. While in a drought, however, it is important to remember to prioritize watering trees. Trees provide a host of community benefits, including shade, oxygen, soil erosion prevention, and food sources for species. Shrubs are another important plant to prioritize when watering, as they help minimize road noise and filter out pollution from the air. If newly planted trees and plants are not properly watered, they could die before taking root.  Trees and shrubs are an essential part of our environment and must be protected during a drought. 

To help increase our tree canopy with water conservation in mind, Park City is organizing several tree planting events to build our urban canopy! Look out for new trees, with self-watering ‘ooze tubes’ around town this Fall. If you’re interested in joining a tree planting, visit the City’s Planting Park City page to sign up for future events! 

By Pearson Ehrich

Saving Water at Zero Cost

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Many of us are inadvertently wasting tap water as we use it in our homes and yards.
There are many simple ways we can waste significantly less. One way is to “capture” running
faucet or shower head water in a container as you wait for it to warm up. Keep a bucket in the
kitchen and bathroom for your captured water and use it to water plants and rinse and wash
dishes and other items. Doing this, can save 3 gallons of water from running down the drain
each time you wait for hot water to flow.

For a cold drink on a hot day, keep a pitcher of tap water in the refrigerator instead of letting it
run down the drain until it cools. When cooking, repurpose boiled water.

On a hot sunny day, we often run hot water remaining in a turned-off garden hose onto the
ground until it cools. Instead, capture it in a bucket and use it later. Be alert to superheated
water remaining in a hose that can cause burns. As much as possible, leave hoses in the
shade. Water in the morning while the hose is cool.

In many ways, you can make sure your behaviors are those that minimize the amount of water
you leave running down the drain or onto the ground. Saving water is another way to think, talk, and feel-good green.

By Bev Harrison

Water Conservation in Gardening

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Gardens provide benefits pertaining to soil and air quality, but they can aid the earth even further when deliberately planned. Through simple actions, a great deal of water can be conserved. This is increasingly important since over two-thirds of Utah’s land is currently classified as being in an “extreme drought.” 

There are many ways to orient your garden to conserve water. One technique is to fill your garden with native plants. Native plants are accustomed to the soil and weather conditions of your area, therefore requiring less manual watering. Buckwheat, Globemallows, and Serviceberries are a few plants local to Utah. Aside from the aesthetic factor, planting your garden in 2-3 inches of natural mulch will prevent evaporation and weed growth. This mulch can be found in various nurseries and landscaping stores around town. 

Once these initial actions have been taken, there are additional conservation measures that can be carried out. One simple action is reusing your household water in lieu of a hose. This excess water can be collected from water bottles, pasta water, or shower buckets. Rain gauges are also a great tool that display the average rainfall in your area. By installing a 5-inch rain gauge into an open area of your garden, you will gain a better understanding of how much manual watering is necessary as the weather fluctuates. 

As the snow begins to melt, start thinking about how you can better orient and maintain your garden to save water! 

By Lauren Allen