14 DAY TRIAL // The idea of using sewage water to make fake snow is one that first occurred to Arizona's Snowbowl ski resort quite a few years back.
However, up until now, supporters of this idea have been battling locals and environmentalists in court, due to the fact that the last mentioned didn't quite approve of the idea to take sewage effluent and spray it all over the landscapes in this part of the US in the form of fake snow.
Apparently, two major complains were raised with respect to this project: firstly, Native Americans consider these lands to be sacred, which is why snow made from sewage water pretty much goes against everything their beliefs stand for.
On the other hand, we have the environmentalists, whose main argument is that sewage water is one icky resource when it comes to making snow.
Truth the told, there was also the scientific argument: sewage water has to be treated with various chemicals before being turned into fake snow, and nobody can predict how these chemicals will respond to freezing temperatures.
Moreover, once warmer temperatures hit the skying slopes, this fake snow will most definitely melt, so concerns have to be raised with respect to how this will impact on the natural ecosystems found in this part of the world.
Last, but not least, winter sports more often than not translate into one or two less experienced individuals gulping down several mouthful of snow, so the issue of public health must also be given due consideration.
However, researchers didn't really stage any protests and thus allowed locals and greenheads to steal their thunder as far as media attention is concerned.
It may very well be that the people behind this project claim that the sewage water that could be used to make snow as early as this coming holiday season is well treated (i.e. its quality is just below drinking water), but this does not change the fact that tourists are bound to reject the idea of sewage water fake snow on principle alone.