JACKSON, Wyo. — Town Councilors unanimously backed a motion to update policy on Monday night, which would streamline sewer hookups for “priority areas” that rely on septic systems. Those areas are considered vulnerable to groundwater contamination via septic systems.
Nothing will change immediately, as the motion doesn’t connect any new properties. Instead, it directs staff to make it simpler for priority areas to pass through the Town’s sewer approval process. Currently, requests go through three steps, and the change would effectively bypass the first step and allow applicants to move straight into a connection use agreement.
The decision was broadly supportive of these hookups to the Town sewer lines. Much of the conversation centered around whether Jackson’s wastewater plant has room to absorb new sewer connections. Currently, the Town has a permit to treat up to 5 million gallons per day (MGD) per the Department of Environmental Quality.
Director of Public Works Johnny Ziem presented a 20-year buildout model, which estimated town demand plus existing contracted areas to require 3.9 MGD. Adding the “priority areas” to the estimate raised that number to 4.4 MGD, well below the DEQ limit.
“Septic tanks pose a threat to water in our ecosystems,” Councilor Kevin Regan said in his closing statements to nods from his cohort.
Councilor Jonathan Schechter agreed, calling the motion a “no-brainer.”
During public comment, representatives from Protect Our Water JH (POWJH) urged the motion to go further, and asked for more groundwater monitoring near the wastewater plant.
Advocacy Director of POWJH Jen Evans said the organization would pay for well installation to improve groundwater monitoring.
Another supporter, owner of Rendezvous River Sports and POWJH Board Chair Aaron Pruzan emphasized that monitoring would be critical, especially as the town starts to send more waste to the plant. “Why wouldn’t we do this?” he remarked after Evans said POWJH would pay for the wells intended for monitoring.
Councilors agreed that the conversation around monitoring the groundwater near the wastewater treatment plant should continue, but that it fell outside of the scope of the item at the Monday night meeting.
