PCSD contractor set to resume discharge of contaminated water

Superintendent Huntsman admits to 'missteps' in handling of contaminated groundwater at Treasure Mountain construction site

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:18pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the fragile balance of the local ecosystem impacted by the contaminated groundwater discharge.An abstract visualization of the complex environmental challenges surrounding the contaminated groundwater discharge at the Treasure Mountain construction site.Park City Today

The Park City School District (PCSD) is set to resume dewatering at the Treasure Mountain Junior High School construction site, with stricter treatment and testing requirements. This comes after Superintendent Lyndsay Huntsman and school board Vice President Nick Hill acknowledged that contaminated water was not properly handled in the past, including discharges into a stream that feeds Silver Creek, a protected drinking water source.

Why it matters

The Treasure Mountain construction site is located on a former mining waste area contaminated with arsenic and lead, which is regulated under a federal environmental covenant. The district's previous handling of the contaminated groundwater has raised concerns about potential environmental impacts and compliance with permitting requirements.

The details

In October 2025, contractors discharged more than 500,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater into the stream over roughly five weeks without a permit, according to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. The district had previously claimed the water was 'non-hazardous' and had been routed through a settling tank system, but this system does not effectively treat contaminants like arsenic and lead. Sampling data showed elevated levels of these contaminants in the discharged water.

  • In August 2025, a groundwater sample from the junior high site showed lead levels four times the threshold and arsenic at 19 times the limit allowed to discharge into the creek.
  • In October 2025, contractors discharged more than 500,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater into the stream over roughly five weeks without a permit.
  • On April 9, 2026, Superintendent Huntsman and school board Vice President Hill acknowledged the 'missteps' in handling the contaminated water during an interview with KPCW.

The players

Lyndsay Huntsman

Superintendent of the Park City School District.

Nick Hill

Vice President of the Park City School District Board of Education.

Treasure Mountain Junior High School

The construction site located on a former mining waste area contaminated with arsenic and lead.

Utah Department of Environmental Quality

The state agency reviewing the October 2025 incident and potential environmental impacts.

Silver Creek

A waterway classified as a protected drinking water source that received the contaminated groundwater discharge.

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What they’re saying

“We acknowledge that there was a misstep in terms of what permit should have been obtained. We have the correct permit now, and we will follow that process as outlined in our communication.”

— Lyndsay Huntsman, Superintendent

“Upon further investigation we identified that there has been a water discharge that went unseen since almost the start of the project. We have identified that the pumps have been pumping since near the beginning of the project and are turned on at approximately 8:00AM and shutoff at approximately 4:30PM M-F. The pump is rated at 40 gallons per minute.”

— Randy Upton, Business Administrator

What’s next

State regulators with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality continue to review the October 2025 incident, including permitting requirements and potential environmental impacts. A spokesperson previously said the investigation is complete but findings are not expected to be released until later in April.

The takeaway

The Treasure Mountain construction project's handling of contaminated groundwater has raised significant concerns about environmental compliance and transparency. The district's admission of 'missteps' highlights the importance of proper permitting, treatment, and oversight when working on sites with known environmental contamination.