If
there’s a book with some ideas about gratitude and being thankful for the present, it’s “The Good Book.” And if there’s a passage about how the present came to be, it’s this one in Deuteronomy:
“When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers […] to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget.”
The religious text above is very careful to remind those hearing the message, “do not forget,” about what it took to get here. In a similar vein, those residing in Utah would be wise to remember that lives enjoyed here came from many decades of decision-making to prioritize for the present day. In this case, the priority was water and water infrastructure in the high desert of the Beehive State.
Projects Make it Possible
As part of the continued prioritization of water, Karry Rathje, Communications Director for the Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD), reported that their team completed the Sand Hollow Groundwater Treatment Plant in 2021. The plant allows WCWCD to pump groundwater near Sand Hollow, treat three million gallons per day currently, and deliver it via the recently completed Sand Hollow Regional Pipeline to high growth areas in the county.
Just north of Rathje’s WCD, the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District (CICWCD) Public Relations & Conservation Manager Jessica Staheli mentioned that they hold up their duty to Iron County and the state, too. Much of their recent efforts have been pushing “recharges”—spreading or impounding water on the land. Recharges increase the water infiltration through the soil that percolates to aquifers. She said that these recharges are used to manage excess runoff, prevent flooding and downstream erosion, improve water quality, and ultimately balance aquifers.
The Quichapa Recharge Project just east of Cedar City is one of the most complex of these recharge facilities in the Cedar Valley. The water is first diverted from Coal Creek into a settling area that feeds into the “lazy river.” That snaking river was designed so that dirt and other substances in the water can settle instead of being taken downstream. After it moves through the lazy river, it is pumped to a settling basin where it can seep into the ground, or it can be diverted to an agricultural operation and used for irrigation.
Further north, Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) also remembers its duty to both present and future water needs. They have developed the Central Utah Water Conservancy District Water Development Project (CWP) over the past 15 years. The CWP is currently capable of delivering up to 53,000 acre-feet to growing areas in Utah and Salt Lake counties.
But remembering and awareness aren’t enough. As Deuteronomy stated, there are wells to dig. CUWCD’s metaphorical well was the replacement of the North Fork Siphon (UC&D 2021 Most Outstanding Water Project) which was completed just over a year ago.
The project was a massive undertaking according to KC Shaw, Deputy General Manager for CUWCD. It included the successful installation of 154 pipe segments on two slopes (with up to 70% inclines), where 700-plus feet of elevation difference exists between the siphon inlet/outlet and the valley bottom. Due to its steep slopes, contractor Whitaker Construction utilized a novel crane system to deliver individual pipe segments, each weighing up to 42,000 pounds.
The new 84-inch diameter, welded steel pipe siphon allows CUWCD to continue providing customers with 50,000 acre-feet of water each year. As an essential component of the Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System, the siphon collects and transports water from the Uintah Basin to Strawberry Reservoir, where it stays before the water is delivered to the Wasatch Front. Through careful planning and consideration, CUWCD and others are bringing much-needed infrastructure, and water, into communities across the state.
How Projects Come to Be
Water infrastructure is based on several factors, including federal, state, and local laws. Beyond the law, most water development projects are required to complete a thorough permitting process that includes an analysis of supply reliability, demand, quality, rights, engineering feasibility, costs, and environmental impacts, among other issues. It’s an arduous process to bring these projects to completion, so moving forward is essential once the vetting process is completed.
Linda Townes, Public Information Manager for the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), said they are looking forward to a few projects after going through those necessary processes. One of the big-ticket items is expanding the Jordan Valley Water Treatment Plant from 180 million gallons per day to 220 million gallons per day (roughly equivalent to 246,000 acre-feet of water with the expansion).
“Identifying and replacing aging infrastructure is quickly becoming a priority for water providers throughout Utah,” said Shaw. All of the WCDs are dialed into making seismic improvements with existing infrastructure and building new infrastructure. One example project is the 3200 W 10200 S Booster Pump Station that will replace an existing booster pump station and support the growth inside the JVWCD.
It’s all a delicate balance of relationships and abilities. Rathje explained that districts are responsible for the planning, development, conservation, and protection of water resources while elected officials and public buy-in help ensure these efforts can move forward quickly and efficiently. WCDs and their staff understand their vital role and want the public involved in the future of water, especially as the state is affected by drought.
Setting a Standard
Townes said that combating drought can be done in two ways: through knee-jerk responses, or through resiliency. “Typical responses in the past have been asking people to use less water, usually on their lawns,” she said. The problem? Asking people to use less water “is not a long-term solution. Resiliency is changing our lifestyle—specifically our landscaping.”
Rathje in Washington County said that the buy-in down south has been good—and getting better. “Washington County used 400 million gallons less in 2021 than in 2020 despite a 5% increase in population,” she said, amazed by how positively residents and leaders in Washington County have responded to conservation efforts.
Townes said that Water Efficiency Standards (WESs) are the next generation of water conservation tools. Implementation of these WESs acts as a regulation or mandate. Since all of the easily accessible water has already been allocated or is currently in use, adhering to these standards helps member agencies move forward as they buy water from the WCDs.
What are these standards? They range in purpose from installing low-flow toilets and showerheads in new and future construction to having grass turf in only 35% of the residential landscaping or 20% of commercial landscaping. It may be a tough future to consider for some, but the long-term strengthening of communities should be well worth the mutual sacrifice. After all, that’s how resilient communities are made.
CICWCD in Iron County succeeded in designing standards for new construction, too. They passed a resolution in 2018 that promotes conservation through developers. Developers can transfer fewer water rights in exchange for water-wise covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CCRs) that are required for subdivisions. The CCRs restrict lawn size, and the residents are billed on a stricter conservation tier to help promote conservation and reduce wasteful water use. “We have had many developers participate in this resolution since it was passed,” said Staheli.
With reservoirs hovering just slightly above 50% of their capacity, responding with conservation is essential. Referring back to the passage in Deuteronomy, there are trees to plant, cities to build, and wells to dig, as there are still generations to come depending on the actions of those currently here. Conjuring more water may be impossible, but drought resiliency is imperative.