• D.C. delegation assisted, calling the EPA demands ‘not warranted.’
In August of 2022 the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) put the Town of Afton under notice, advising the community’s water source, the Periodic (Intermittent) Spring was under direct influence of surface water.
The federal agency directive indicated costly changes would be needed for the Afton system at an estimated $12 to $14 million.
A public hearing was held in Afton Sept. 27, 2022.
Later the town called for further testing while working with the Wyoming, Washington D.C. delegation, U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Liz Cheney then later Rep. Harriet Hageman on a solution.
The delegation called on the EPA to conduct further tests on the water quality of the spring, emphasizing their opposition to costly changes proposed for the system. They called the EPA requirements “not warranted,” while pointing to the past 15 years of sampling that had revealed no problems or disease.
Working with the EPA, Afton conducted additional testing that confirmed the municipal water system was clean.
Following review of the additional testing, the original EPA directives were rescinded.
Afton Mayor Jeff Jensen responded, “I’m very happy that the EPA withdrew it’s preliminary decision about the water quality of Intermittent Spring. “
The mayor acknowledged the quality of the town’s spring water. “Afton has some of the best water in the world and we are willing to stand up to protect it,” he said. “Thank you to everyone in the community who commented to the EPA and to the town employees who worked passionately on preserving our drinking water source.”
Afton Town Administrator Violet Sanderson actively engaged in maintaining coordination and responses with the EPA, along with Utilities Director Josh Peavler and the mayor.
“Thursday, March 28, 2024, brought news from the EPA that the town has been anxiously awaiting since 2022,” wrote Sanderson. “The EPA has withdrawn its preliminary Groundwater Under Direct Influence predetermination for the Periodic Spring.”
She recalled, “The uphill battle began for me in 2018. This withdrawal decision shows what a community working together can accomplish. I have always said that anything worth having is worth fighting for.”
Sanderson continued, “The Periodic Spring is the lifeblood of our community and an important asset to the residents. Thorough testing and results showing no surface water indicators at the mouth of the spring in a September 2023 sampling event helped the EPA understand what we have been saying all along.”
Sanderson advised, “This withdrawal is not the end-all. We will still be classified as a groundwater source, but we will be evaluated every three to five years through the EPA’s Sanitary Survey process. This withdrawal letter brought with it our results from our 2021 Sanitary Survey, which we will be able to address.”
Sanderson expressed appreciation for the help and cooperation through the process.
“I thank the Town Council for understanding the importance of pushing back on this preliminary determination and the Utility Department for their diligence in public safety with our drinking water,” she said.
Sanderson also acknowledged the support of the community expressing appreciation for their attendance at public meetings and filing comments on the official docket.
She reported the EPA’s response to all comments on the docket and during the public hearing, along with their decision document to withdraw their predetermination will be posted on the docket at: https://www.regulations.gov/
