On April 21, 2009, at the request of Washington County Commission, the District took on the role of providing the services necessary to provide wastewater treatment and management in the western portion of unincorporated areas of Washington County (generally west of I-15 and the Kolob area). Ash Creek Special Service District manages east of I-15 and the New Harmony area.
In order to adequately protect ground water recharge areas and drinking water resources, it is of paramount importance that the wastewater be managed to prevent pollutants and toxic compounds from entering the ground water and causing public health and environmental problems. Because water is a precious resource, and much of the county’s drinking water comes from ground water sources, wastewater must be properly managed to assure that our water resources are of the highest quality.
Septic systems, depending on specific site constraints (such as shallow soil over creviced or porous bedrock, high seasonal water table, surface water/stream nearby), do not remove all pollutants. Therefore, the more septic systems in any given area, the larger the load of pollutants released into our groundwater and drinking water sources. The pollutant load must be managed to prevent concentrations from becoming a problem in our water supplies.
Studies have been done to determine the capacity of the different landscape conditions and factors that could potentially affect the water supplies. The Hansen, Allen & Luce Study (1997) adopted by the county in 2000, addressed the following areas: Pine Valley, Brookside, Veyo, Gunlock, Ivins, Santa Clara, Washington, Dammeron Valley, Diamond Valley, Winchester Hills, New Harmony, Anderson Junction, Hurricane, LaVerkin, Leeds, Pintura, Sky Ranch/Bench Lake area, Toquerville and Apple Valley. The Sunrise Engineering Study, 2007, addressed portions of the Kolob area.
Any areas not addressed in these studies may require an engineering study be done to determine an allowable septic density.
These studies provided a recommended septic density or the number of acres required for each septic system to insure that water quality is not impacted. The septic density provides for the number of homes and land development that can take place, while still preventing contamination of groundwater resources. The studies took into account the subdivisions already in place at the time and recommended additional development that could take place in each area before limitations should be imposed. These studies can be found here.
If the septic density requirements are not met and you cannot connect to an existing wastewater treatment facility, an approved alternative wastewater system will be required.
Instructions and a Wastewater Application Form and Certification for Onsite Waste Water Systems for Single Lot/Parcel can be downloaded here.