DDW-2025-008465

July 29, 2025

Richard Droesbeke
Bear Lake State Park
PO Box 184
Garden City, Utah 84028

Dear Richard Droesbeke:

Subject: RTCR Level 2 Assessment: Bear Lake Park- North Eden Campground PWS ID:
UTAH17035

I would like to thank your staff (Jeffery Fry and David Pratt) for taking the time to meet with Ryan
Dearing and myself on July 01, 2025, for your Level 2 (L2) Assessment. Their time and
cooperation in accommodating this request is appreciated.

This Level 2 Assessment was triggered by an E. coli-positive (EC+) routine sample, followed by a
total coliform-positive (TC+) repeat sample in June of 2025.
Observations:
Upon arrival on site, we observed a 5,000-gallon water truck actively filling from the system. We
learned that the system's total storage capacity is only 10,000 gallons, meaning that half of the
water in the storage tank was being used every time the truck fills. This type of usage can place
significant strain on the system—especially since one of the booster pumps is currently offline.
This high demand could be contributing to negative pressure in the system, potentially allowing
contaminants to enter.
During the investigation, it was noted that the original routine sample was collected by an LHD
employee from an outdoor hose bib that had a threaded end and was not disinfected before
sampling, which may have contributed to the positive result.
We observed that although there was no standing water around the well head at the time, dried and
cracked mud indicated that standing water had been present recently.
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

Richard Droesbeke
Page 2
July 1, 2025

Water quality testing conducted on the well discharge showed a pH of 8.2, TDS of 1138 mg/L,
and an ORP value between 37mv and 160mv. These readings are notable because low ORP values
combined with higher pH levels may indicate the presence of bacteriological activity. Although
the system is equipped with a chlorinator, it was offline at the time due to a lack of replacement
parts.

Conclusions:

1. The positive samples were possibly due to the following factors:
a. High demand from the water truck causing low or negative pressures in the system
leading to backsiphonage
b. Poor sample site selection and/or poor sampling technique
c. Bacteriological activity and /or contamination within the well itself

Recommendations:

1. Change your sampling location to an indoor tap. Before sampling, ensure the line is
flushed thoroughly and the sample tap is disinfected.

2. Do not allow water trucks to fill from the system unless the system can demonstrate a
minimum residual pressure of 20 psi is maintained during the filling operation. Would
recommend supervision of the filling procedure by a certified water operator.

3. Repair the chlorinator as soon as possible to maintain appropriate disinfection levels in
the system.

4. Contact Rural Water Association of Utah for Further Technical assistance or questions on
sampling procedure: Terry Smith 435-691-0691 [e-mail]

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

Feel free to contact me at [phone] , [e-mail] , with questions or if I 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,

Keri L. Moya
Richard Droesbeke
Page 3
July 1, 2025

Environmental Program Coordinator
Utah Division of Drinking Water

cc:
Keri Moya, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail] Brian Pattee
Sitara Federico, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Cameron Draney, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Hunter Payne. Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]
Grant Koford, Bear River Health Department, [e-mail]
Richard Worley, Bear River Health Department, [e-mail]
Tammie Allen, Division of Drinking Water, [e-mail]