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Show Panguitch City Sewer System Needs Revealed Panguitch residents gathered to express opinions and hear information regarding the results of the recently completed formal Panguitch sewer study conducted by Kaiserman and Associates, Genge Engineering, Salt Ike City. Representing a sizable cross section of the community, approximately 110 citizens met Thursday evening at the Panguitch Intermediate School. Presiding over the first in a series of r public meetings aimed at assessing f local sentiment, Mayor Wallace G. Lee prefaced the formal presentation by ' Kaiserman and Associates with a brief introductory explanation of the circumstances leading to the study. Lee stated that the formal sewer study decision had resulted from a vote four years previous by the city council to actively pursue several alternatives. City council representatives approached the Environmental Protection Agency for funding assistance in the form of a planning grant. Placed on EPA's "priority" list awaiting assistance, Panguitch advanced quickly in priority when it was learned through an ongoing 208 water study that samples taken in areas basements tested in the "polluted" range. Panguitch subsequently received a $7,000 grant to be applied toward an in-depth study. Following Mayor Lee's introduction, Joe Melling, employed by Five County Association of Governments and director for the 208 water study gave a brief synopsis, including the purpose and findings of the study. From an informal telephone survey conducted of area residents by members of the Panguitch chapter Business and Professional Woman, city manager, Bruce Fullmer, cited additional pertinent information. Included in his presentation was a well prepared area map pinpointing properties which had experienced any problems relating to the study. A foundation having been laid by previous speakers. Jim Kaiserman, representing Genge Engineering, presented an in depth look at the Findings and recommendations of the Panguitch sewer study conducted by his Firm. "The essence of the wastewater problem in Panguitch, is or can be attributed to high groundwater which renders the current wastewater treatment system of septic tanks, cesspools and drainfields essentially ineffective. This is particularly so in the high density area of the city, but to a lesser degree in other areas of the city. "Many factors contribute to this high groundwater and they include an abundant supply of water, a very pemeable porous gravelly soil material which underlies much of the city, extremely high seepage losses from the network of irrigation ditches within the city, and the basic topography of the area. "The severity of the groundwater and theattendant problems it in turn causes (water in basements, inundated drainfields, sewage effluents on the ground surface, odors, etc.) can be easily and directly linked to periods of "spring run-off" and the irrigation season. Under the provisions of the 208 guidelines, the wells tested for the study indicate that the water is not highly contaminated, i.e. 3 BOD. "The problem is complicated because the wastewater treatment system presently in use, is composed mostly of cesspools (perhaps 65 percent) and which are not quite as effective as septic tanks. Other considerations are that a low lying natural marshland lies to the north and east of the city while the land to the south and west of the city (on the west side of the river), is all cultivated or improved pastureland. "The study has further found that from the present population of 1,550 (Continued on page 5) Panguitch Sewer . . . (Continued from page 1) inhabitants of Panguitch, a projected population of 2,350 with a population equivalent of 2,500 will be reached by the year 2000. ! "Further, the city presently has 550 basically widely spaced connections (a low density situation) and would, of course, like to grow and expand and make provisions for such expansion to attract industry etc. That is, provide for higher density; but the existing septic tank-cesspool system limits the community to a low density condition. "Also, inasmuch as the two prime industries of Panguitch presently are lumber processing and tourism, the interests of these entities are foremost in the concerns of the community. "In light of these many aforementioned considerations, several alternatives were pursued in the course , of this study." Kaiserman then proceeded to give cost breakdowns of all proposed possible alternatives leading into his firm's ultimate recommendations to the city. Kaiserman recommended a new 800 GPM well to replace irrigation water, the water from which to flow through the culinary system. This new well to be drilled near the existing storage reservoirs and will provide all irrigation water needs, while other existing water sources will provide culinary needs. A complete sewer collection system with selected east-west lines to be under drained, to provide higher density and industry enforcement. An outfall line to the northeast lagoon site to include onq lift station. In summarization the Kaiserman study expressed this recommendation solves the high groundwater problem and the enudating of septic tanks and cess pools; it allows the city to prevent urban sprawl, and it prevents use of farm ground as home sites. Other containment alternatives simply require too much good cultivated land (approximately 250 acres) which would be very expensive to purchase if it were available at all for sale. If further allows larger and improved tourist facilities, removes any groundwater pollution and allows reuse of the sewage water in land application methods. |
