These new regulations are intended to provide stronger safeguards against potential risk from waterborne diseases by emphasizing frequent water quality monitoring and source water protection. For example, the SWTR requires water supply systems utilizing a surface water source, or a ground water source which has direct surface water influence, to provide filtration treatment. The intention of the FAC is to ensure that unfiltered water supply systems have adequately protected watersheds to provide high source water quality. The population of Pinedale is 1,200 and is experiencing a growth pulse, characteristic of many small western communities. The town drinking water has historically been a surface water supply originating from Fremont Lake located 3 km north of the town.
Water is chlorinated and piped to the town distribution system.
Fremont Lake was formed by glacial scouring and blocked at the outlet by a terminal moraine. The lake lies at an altitude of 2,260 m, having a volume of 1.69 km3 and an area of 20.6 km2. Fremont Lake is elongated, having a length of 8.14 km, a width of 1.57-2.08 km, and a maximum depth and mean depth of 185 m and of 82 m respectively. As would be expected from the lake chemistry, the watershed is also reasonably pristine. The 196 km2 drainage basin originates from the western slope of the continental divide and is largely comprised of the Bridger Teton National Forest Wilderness Area.