The Central Iron County Water Conservancy District has made strides in water conservation with its Water Infrastructure Improvement Project.
The project includes new waterline and storage tank installations, and the drilling of new wells to increase the resilience of the water supply.
“As we are facing drought, and our water supplies continue to be depleted, it is imperative that we diversify our water supply,” said Paul Monroe, general manager of the district. “The more storage and varied sources, the better prepared we will be from an uncertain water future. The infrastructure improvements that are being installed today will have a lasting effect for generations to come.”
The district installed a waterline along Iron Springs Road into basin No. 71 in the Escalante Basin to help balance the aquifer pumping. It was constructed through a private-public partnership with Building Zone Industries, which operates near WECCO. This was the first phase of the project, completed during the winter of 2022-2023.
The current phase of the WIIP includes the installation of a 4-million gallon water storage tank, the largest in the Cedar Valley, and a waterline in the Eightmile Hills area near Desert Mound Road and Iron Springs Road. With Phaze Construction building the tank and Munford Contracting building the waterline, the valley will have more water storage security.
Another water storage tank in the Cedar Highlands was awarded, and construction is expected to begin soon. It will help provide much-needed water storage and fire protection aid.
The second phase saw the installation of water transmission lines along 4000 North (between Lund Highway and 4400 West) and along 6000 North. These have looped the current system, helping with efficiency.
Future phases of the project include developing two new wells, one in Basin 71 and another in Cedar Valley, which will further help the District provide for the growing community.
Funding for the WIIP comes from a combination of funds from the District and grant and loan funds from the USDA Rural Development. Just over $19.38 million of project money for water development and the refinancing of old debt will be invested in the community between 2022 and 2027. The loan breakdown is about $14 million, amortized at 40 years and an interest rate of 1.25%. The grant amount is just over $4 million, and the District’s contribution is $1.26 million.
“The project is critical for the long-term sustainability of our water resources in Cedar Valley,” Monroe said. “As our population grows and we continue to face challenges such as drought and the state’s Groundwater Management Plan, it’s vital that we take proactive steps to diversify and improve our water infrastructure.”
Continuous water challenges require careful management of water resources. Despite this, the District is committed to providing a reliable water supply for Cedar Valley residents through conservation, recharge and reuse, and supply.
For more information on the Water Infrastructure Improvement Project and to stay updated with progress, click here.
Author: Maddi Munro
Photog courtesy of Gowtham AGM
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
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