DDW-2024-006368

195 North 1950 West • Salt Lake City, UT
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 144830 • Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4830
Telephone [phone] • Fax [phone] • T.D.D. [phone]
www.deq.utah.gov
Printed on 100% recycled paper
State of Utah

SPENCER J. COX
Governor

DEIDRE HENDERSON
Lieutenant Governor
Department of
Environmental Quality

Kimberly D. Shelley
Executive Director

DIVISION OF DRINKING WATER
Nathan Lunstad
Interim Director

December 29, 2023

Michael Goodman
Mt Tabby Springs Subdivision
2729 Durban Rd
Sandy, UT 84093

Dear Mr. Goodman,

Subject: RTCR Level 2 Assessment Mt Tabby Springs Subdivision UTAH070009

I would like to thank you for meeting with me on September 8th, 2023, for the Level 2
Assessment of your water system. Your willingness to accommodate this request is greatly
appreciated.

Observations:

This Level 2 Assessment was triggered by Multiple TC+ EC- positive routine & repeat
distribution system samples between June and September 2023. The routine distribution samples
were positive in June, July, August, and September, along with positive triggered source samples.
There were positive repeat samples in June and July 2023.

Mt. Tabby Springs Subdivision is a Transient Non-Community water system located in Duchesne
County which provides water to approximately 219 recreational properties. This system operates
seasonally between May and September. The system consists of a spring source and a 103,000-
gallon storage tank.

During the performance of this assessment, the re-occurring factor which was the likely cause of
the positive samples was the greater than normal snowpack during the winter of 2022/2023. There
was snow covering the spring collection area much later than normal, spring flows were increased
and there was additional water which surfaced near the collection area which had never been
observed before. The spring collection area is located at the base of an escarpment which is
comprised of conglomerate rock which appears to be fractured and has roots extending down
through the formation from trees on the level above. It appears likely that with the increase in
snowpack and runoff, water was able to create new pathways which are potentially allowing water
Michael Goodman
Page 2
December 29, 2023

from the surface to enter the spring collection lines. Maintenance of the land directly above the
collection area is problematic due to the fact it is owned by another entity and the water system
does not have access to, or permission to alter it in any way.

Another contributing factor was a large population of crickets which was observed in the spring
collection box. It was reported that the box had been cleaned and any openings sealed a week
prior to my visit, but around 100 crickets had returned in that time. It is likely that the presence of
live insects could result in total coliform positive samples, so their removal and future prevention
is of utmost importance to rule them out as a source of the bacteria. During the inspection a live
cricket was observed to be carried downstream toward the storage tank. After my visit, another
attempt was made to remove the crickets and seal the collection box.

Conclusions:

1. The likely cause of the unsatisfactory samples seems to be a change in water flow caused
by increased snowpack and runoff during the winter of 2022/2023.

2. An additional cause could be a colony of crickets living inside the spring collection box.

3. This system has had occasional coliform positive samples in the past, but in 2023 they
have been positive every month, including at the source.

Recommendations:

1. Regular inspections of the spring collection box to ensure the crickets have been removed.

2. Monthly source assessment samples to determine source water quality.

3. Performance of an MPA test in the spring of 2024 to determine the potential of surface
water influence.

4. Monitoring of surface water and the condition of the spring collection area.

For engineering questions and review, contact Michael Newberry at [phone],
[e-mail].

Feel free to contact me at 801-419-6785 or [e-mail], with questions or if we can be of
further assistance.

We will be in contact to schedule the MPA test in May or June 2024.

Sincerely,
Michael Goodman
Page 3
December 29, 2023

Ryan Dearing
Field Services Manager
Utah Division of Drinking Water

cc:
Brian Pattee, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Sitara Federico, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Darrin Brown, Tri-County Health Department [e-mail]
Nathan Hall, Tri-County District Engineer nhall@utahgov