Jeff Lennert - Waste Water Treatment Superintendent
Phase One of Effluent Reuse Project Complete, Delivering Significant Water Savings for Cedar Valley Aquifer
Cedar Valley, Utah has reached a critical milestone in its long-term water conservation strategy with the completion of Phase One of the Effluent Water Capture and Reuse Project at the Cedar City Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant north of Enoch.
The Effluent Reuse Project is housed at the Cedar City Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, a modern facility that treats more than 3 million gallons of wastewater each day. Contrary to common perceptions, the plant is a clean, organized, and highly maintained operation featuring carefully managed treatment systems and infrastructure designed to protect both public health and the environment.
The completion of Phase One marks a major step toward securing Cedar Valley’s water future through conservation, reuse, and responsible management of existing water resources.
The impact to Cedar Valley’s groundwater aquifer is substantial. The project is expected to offset nearly 3 million gallons of culinary water every day by replacing irrigation demand with reclaimed water. That equals approximately 9 acre-feet of water saved daily, water that can remain in the aquifer for residential and commercial use while helping Cedar Valley move closer to long-term sustainability under Utah’s Groundwater Management Plan.
The facility is overseen by Jeff Lennert, Wastewater Treatment Superintendent for Cedar City Corporation, who has worked at the plant for more than 20 years.
Lennert has lived in Iron County since 1994. Prior to his work in wastewater treatment, he served in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Sergeant (E5), before continuing his service in a dual-status Army role as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief.
He says one of the most fascinating aspects of wastewater treatment is the biological process behind it.
“We use biology to actively decompose waste in the water in hours versus the days it would normally take in nature,” Lennert explained. “There really isn’t equipment cleaning the water — the bacteria do the work. We simply create an environment where the bacteria are healthy and able to consume the waste.”
Lennert believes reuse projects like this are essential for Cedar Valley’s future.
“I think we need to start reusing this water,” he said. “We need to do it as soon as possible and do whatever it takes to get it back to the cities and use it.”
He also hopes residents better understand the importance of protecting the wastewater system by being mindful of what gets flushed into it.
“Don’t use flushable wipes — they’re not flushable,” Lennert said with a laugh. “Pay attention to your water use, and come out and take a tour sometime.”
The project is part of a larger
multi-phase effort to recycle wastewater for beneficial reuse throughout Cedar
Valley. Phase One focused on treatment upgrades at the wastewater plant, while
Phase Two will involve construction of pump stations and pipelines needed to
distribute the reclaimed water to users across the valley.
Phase one of the project totaled $5.2 million, while phase two is estimated at approximately $11 Million. To date, roughly $7.6 million has been secured through regional partnerships, local municipality funding support, $4 million obtained by Representative Rex Shipp during the last legislative session, and $1.75 million from Congress women Celste Maloy along with another $3.4 million that she is currently working to get us.
Maloy has played a significant role in helping move the project forward at the federal level and is currently working to help secure the remaining funding needed for Phase Two construction. Approximately $3.4 million is still being pursued through additional federal funding opportunities in Washington, D.C.
As Cedar Valley continues to experience population and economic growth, projects like this one are becoming increasingly important in reducing demand on limited groundwater supplies while still supporting the needs of the community.
Through regional cooperation, strategic investment, and innovative reuse of existing water supplies, Cedar Valley Water Conservancy, Cedar City Corporation, and regional partners are taking meaningful steps to preserve the aquifer and strengthen the valley’s long-term water future.
What was once considered wastewater is now becoming part of the solution — helping Cedar Valley conserve, reuse, recharge, and secure water resources for generations to come
