Water Quality Management Plan

Teton County, Wyoming, is home to some of the country’s most iconic natural attractions, including roughly 400 miles of wild and scenic rivers. With a population of about 40,000 to 66,000, depending on the season, and over 1.6 million annual visitors, protecting the county’s water resources is vital to the area’s residents and visitors. Trihydro worked with Teton County to develop a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) to address water quality challenges and support the area’s natural resources.

Creating the Teton County WQMP involved multiple groups that had previously worked independently on water quality issues without fully resolving all challenges. Teton County, Trihydro, and our teaming partner, Flitner Strategies, collaborated with Protect Our Water Jackson Hole, Teton Conservation District, the Town of Jackson, and others to understand and develop strategies for managing existing and potential human-induced threats to surface and groundwater quality. The project team engaged over 125 stakeholders from five key groups: wastewater, stormwater, point and non-point sources, wildlife and recreation, and drinking water. We shared information through a public engagement website, newsletters, social media, advertising, news stories, and public comment sessions to support community involvement.

The WQMP Planning Process

The project followed a multi-step planning process:

1. Data collection and review: We compiled and reviewed information on water quality data and studies, including over 40 existing reports and six water quality datasets.
2. Data gap, sensitivity, and vulnerability analyses: We identified data gaps and conducted a sensitivity and vulnerability analysis to identify high-risk areas.
3. Water resource assessment: We prepared a water resources assessment that evaluated existing and potential impacts from wastewater, stormwater, point and non-point sources, and wildlife and recreation. Our team also evaluated drinking water sources, which consist predominantly of groundwater from the alluvial aquifer, and presented future considerations such as wildfires, climate change, and emerging contaminants.
4. Identify water quality actions: We identified, evaluated, and prioritized water quality actions that could address water quality issues and improve the management of water resources.

Adoption of the WQMP

Teton County adopted the WQMP after thorough review and feedback from the project team, stakeholders, and the public. This resulted in a comprehensive and collaborative WQMP that provides a roadmap for the county to protect water resources for the next 20 years. The WQMP includes the following key components:

• A plan that categorizes water quality into essential, immediate, short-term, and long-term actions and assigns responsibilities and timelines for implementation.
• A governance framework that establishes a water quality advisory committee, a water quality coordinator, and a technical advisory group to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the WQMP.
• A water quality protection overlay that defines areas of high sensitivity and vulnerability and imposes more stringent requirements for development and wastewater management.
• A priority sewer connection overlay for wastewater collection and treatment that identifies existing service areas and areas that need to be connected to wastewater systems or satellite treatment plants.
• A countywide surface and groundwater monitoring network that collects and analyzes water quality data and informs adaptive management.
• Recommendations for amendments to the small wastewater facility and land development regulations to enhance water quality protection.
• Recommendations for additional studies to fill data gaps and characterize the alluvial aquifer.
• Recommendations for education and outreach to raise awareness and promote best practices for water quality protection.

This comprehensive and collaborative approach enhances the protection and improvement of Teton County’s water quality for future generations. By proactively managing water resources, the WQMP supports the health and well-being of the community, safeguards the natural beauty that attracts tourism, and promotes sustainable development.