Water quality advocates back $32 million plant, but politicos worry about costs to ratepayers.
“We’re talking about cleaning up wastewater in a community that’s surrounded by wild and scenic rivers and an economy dependent on tourism,” said Scott Bosse, northern Rockies regional director for American Rivers. “I think an investment of $32 million is not too much to ask for a community like Jackson that is so dependent on healthy rivers for its economy and its way of life.”
The current lagoon plant isn’t well equipped to handle nutrients like ammonia in the winter because the bacteria in the lagoons that break down ammonia — separate from the bacteria that break down organic waste — are sensitive to temperature.
“The mechanical plant is the only one that can consistently address ammonia and phosphorous year round,” said Meghan Quinn, executive director for Protect Our Water Jackson Hole.