DDW-2024-011069

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, Ph.D., P.E.
Director

September 5, 2024

Bart Battista
Deer Springs Ranch Lower Cabins
PO BOX 254
Kanab, Utah 84741

Dear Mr. Battista,

Subject: RTCR Level 2 Assessment Deer Springs Ranch Lower Cabins
UTAH13056

I would like to thank you, Brent, and Cody for taking the time to meet with me on August 16th,
2024, for a Level 2 Assessment (L2) of your water system. Your willingness to accommodate this
request is greatly appreciated.

Observations:

This L2 assessment was triggered because the system’s routine bacteriological sample in June
2024 was total coliform positive (TC+) and one or more of the required repeat samples was not
taken and/or reported.

Deer Springs Ranch Lower Cabins is a Transient Non-Community water system located in Kane
County. The system consists of a well (WS001) and a 40,000-gallon storage tank (ST001). The
water is pumped from the well to the storage tank. The water flows from the tank to the
distribution system, which consists of several cabins, a few communal buildings, and a hauling
station.

While performing this L2 assessment it was noticed that the electrical conduit running alongside
the well casing was damaged and open to the environment. This conduit must be repaired so the
wellhead is sealed and protected to prevent contamination of the well.

At the time of this assessment, the system had recently been doing work to install in-home booster
pump units for which the system was granted a temporary exception. This construction work
could have been a pathway for contaminants to enter the system. Because of this, disinfection of
affected lines should be completed as part of any similar work or repairs in the future.
Bart Battista
Page 2
September 5, 2024

Conclusions:

1. The broken conduit alongside the well casing could be a pathway for contaminants to enter
the system, resulting in TC+ samples. This conduit must be repaired; see the
‘Deficiencies’ section below.
2. TC+ samples may have been caused by stagnant water/old water age in both your storage
tank and your distribution system.
3. Recent excessive heat and wildfires may have had an impact on the system. Although no
infrastructure was damaged, hotter conditions lead to faster microbial growth, which could
have influenced sample results.

Recommendations:

1. Inspect the gasket on the well head when repairing the broken conduit. Replace the gasket
if necessary.

2. It is recommended the system inspect and test all backflow prevention devices and
assemblies at least annually.

3. Clean the storage tank (ST001) on a regular basis, disinfect as per AWWA C652 standards
as an O & M procedure.

4. Disinfect water lines as per AWWA C651 standards as an O & M procedure, especially
after repairs or construction activities (e.g. installing additional home booster pumps).

5. Develop flushing protocols to reduce water age and stagnation, especially in the tank and
the long water line that runs to and from the tank.

Deficiencies:
• The damaged conduit is considered a significant deficiency and must be repaired
within 30 days. Please submit documentation of the repair to Luke Treutel at
[e-mail].

Feel free to contact me Luke Treutel at [phone] or [e-mail], with questions or if
we can be of further assistance.

If you have any questions regarding the work performed, please contact Field Services Section
manager, Ryan Dearing, at [e-mail] [phone].

Sincerely,
Luke Treutel
Environmental Scientist
Utah Division of Drinking Water
Bart Battista
Page 3
September 5, 2024

cc:
Bart Battista, [e-mail]
Luke Treutel, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Brian Pattee, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Jennifer Yee, Utah Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Sitara Federico, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Mz. T Allen, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Paul Wright, DEQ District Engineer, [e-mail]
Jeremy Roberts, Southwest Utah Health Department, [e-mail]