Sewage Effluent Irrigation

Most of the sewage at Silver Star is generated in the winter months. In 2006, the resort generated about 22 million gallons of sewage effluent, which must all be disposed of. Some of this effleunt exfiltrates to groundwater from the exfiltration pond #4, and some evaporates in the summer. The rest is disposed of by effluent irrigaton in the summer months. Silverhawk Utilities' permit also allows them to discharge treated effluent by snowmaking in the winter, although to date, there has been little or no snowmaking for this pupose.

Typical sprinklers used in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 effluent irrigation areas. Although the plan submitted to the Ministry of Tourism calls for pop-up sprinklers, it is quite likely that this will be the type of sprinkler used in the Phase 3 area (fairway-shaped clearcuts in the proposed golf course area - see golf course maps page).

 

     Signage posted around Phase 1 effluent irrigation area

 

             Flagging around Phase 1 effluent irrigation area

 

Sprinkler and effluent lines with sewage treatment plant in background

 

Phase 1 (1.8 hectares) and Phase 2 (4.0 hectares) effluent irrigation areas

 

Phase 3 effluent irrigation area will use the clearcut fairways of Silver Star's proposed golf course. Without this area for sewage effluent disposal, all development on the mountain would have to come to a grinding halt. The north half of this area drains to Vance Creek, while the south half drains to Coldstream Creek.