UPDATE
The Apple Springs Sanitation District met with the EPA earlier this month on our initial grant application rejection. We received 115 points out of a potential 155 points. The threshold for grant acceptance was set at 135 points. They shared our strengths and weaknesses on our application. They shared that funding is still available. Based on their feedback we have decided to update and resubmit our application. Since we originally passed the first checkpoint in the approval process that step will be bypassed. We hope to hear a response again in January. See new attachments below from the new application.
OLD NEWS
We are excited to say that the Apple Springs Water Works and Sanitary District has submitted their grant application. It has been quite a journey for the previous and current board members. The grant scope has evolved over the last 8 months as originally proposed late December 2023.
The project involves the following addressing climate change and potential water well pollution:
1) Increased household wastewater treatment capacity for Boulder Canyon residents. Facility to be installed in pleasant looking greenhouse structure in place of the existing out of date golf course storage sheds. New and proven treatment technology that is low energy consumption and produces no methane gas or phosphorous. Discharge water to be recycled via the golf course irrigation system.
2) Solar Power to provide energy for the new waste water facility and existing fresh water system. This would help eliminate 80% of the current operating costs of the existing system helping reduce user’s monthly fees to state recommended levels.
3) A community bus stop located near the future golf course clubhouse along Hwy 14A to provide community residents better access to Prairie Hill Transmit and the “DaBus” for transportation between Sturgis and Deadwood.