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Hoback Clean Water Initiative

Date: 2022 - 2025
Status: Completed

POWJH Clean Drinking Water Program

Over time, exposure to nitrates and other contaminants in drinking water can lead to adverse health impacts. POWJH launched the Hoback Clean Water Initiative in 2022 to provide Hoback Junction residents with free, clean drinking water as a short-term solution to their water quality problems until a long-term solution unfolds through the Hoback Junction Water & Sewer District.

From 2022 until the program ended in February 2025, we funded and distributed over 15,000 gallons of clean drinking water to over 50 Hoback Junction households. Participating households received up to 20 gallons of free water per month, and financial assistance towards purchasing a water dispenser for their home.

This initiative also helped fund critical studies to get a community drinking water system in place in Hoback Junction.

Funding support

This program was initially funded by POWJH and a grant from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole. It then had continued support from a Partners in Conservation grant from Teton Conservation District.

        

Program Impact

“My family and I recently moved to Hoback, and our well water has nitrates. While the previous owner worked with JH2O very actively and reduced the amount, nitrates still appear in testing. As a family with young kids, we are participating in the bottled water service for our drinking water. Every person living in our valley should have direct access to clean water.”

– Hoback Resident

Health Advisory for Nitrates in Drinking Water from POWJH

November 14, 2024

Serious and potentially life-threatening effects of high nitrate consumption lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a maximum acceptable level in drinking water at 10 mg/L in the 1960’s. POWJH considers drinking water with greater than 2 mg/L nitrate to be impacted by human activity and advises that water at or above this level should not be consumed.

Learn More

Investigation of Elevated Nitrates in the Hoback Junction Area Teton County, Wyoming

On December 11, 2024, based on the results of the data review, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Equality issued a final report stating that the major known source of nitrates in groundwater is related to the density of domestic septic systems in the area.

View the Final Report

Hoback Water Quality News

How well do you know your well?

  • March 7, 2024
  • Buckrail

Whether stepping across a clear stream deep in the woods or filling up a bottle at a gas station during a road trip, we’ve all wondered: “Is this water safe...

County pledges $3 million to Hoback water system

  • August 15, 2024
  • Buckrail

Water quality was the hot topic at the recent Teton County Board of County Commissioners meeting with the Board voting unanimously to approve a petition for the formation of the Elk...

Hoback folks avoid drinking their well water

  • August 1, 2018
  • JH News & Guide

Nitrate concentrations in the drinking water are at the line of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s safe drinking-water standard. Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Engineer James Brough, a water-quality specialist,...

Related Projects

Advocacy

Hoback Junction Water & Sewer District

Date: Ongoing
Status: Current

In Teton County, the Hoback area exhibits the poorest water quality with nitrate concentrations reaching and exceeding levels hazardous to human health. POWJH board member Robert Frodeman is chair of...

Community Solutions, Education & Outreach, Events

Drinking Water Well Testing

Date: Ongoing
Status: Current

POWJH received two consecutive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education grants to provide free drinking water well testing resources to our community. Any Teton County, WY private well user can participate.

The time to act is now.
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