Over 40 years ago, Teton County’s first comprehensive land use plan recognized the threat that mismanaged wastewater and poorly functioning septic systems posed to our valley’s water. A related study conducted at that time identified high groundwater and coarse soils in many areas of the county as incompatible with septic systems, which would contaminate wells, groundwater and surface water. Yet here we are, decades later, and the critical need to protect our precious water resources is largely absent from our Comprehensive Plan, even as nitrate concentrations are rising in groundwater in many areas of our county, threatening access to safe and affordable drinking water.