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Show WASATCH reality,” said David Ovard, general manager, Salt Lake County Water Conservancy District. “If, through conservation, you reach 10 percent reduction . . . you’ve got to build that into your rate structure.” hose economies are one reason why water managers along the Wasatch see development of new water sources as more critical than conservation, Recently, Salt Lake County Commissioner Randy Horiuchi called for increased conservation efforts before_new water sources are identified. Ovard said that although the commissioner's comments may be well-meaning, they miss the mark. MOUNTAIN flows from wells and mine tunnels. The mine water must be treated at great expense to remove heavy, toxic metals. And since Park City is built on a number of hills and mountainsides, the water must be pumped around town, rather than pushed along by TIMES SUMMER lucson Colo Springs put pressure on Salt Lake City a may water more not than be managers And already the Bear River as a new — the last major 10-to-15 reasonable says Ovard. source or that has considering water source of water — David Ovard northern Utah. But it won’t come cheap. Estimates put a dam and delivery system to Salt Lake County at $500 million — and this time, the federal government likely will not participate, as it has in most of Utahs other water projects. Then water costs in Salt Lake County may be more similar to those in other ‘western cities, like Albuquerque or Las Vegas. “We've enjoyed green lawns and gardens and people want to continue that lifestyle,” Ovard said. “But as we come near the end of our water supply, we will have to offer the people a question: do they want to spend half-a-billion dollars to bring in Bear River water, been watering or risk a brown- out every 7-to-10 years.” Summer Restrictions in Park City Unlike Wasatch Front communities, Park City and neighboring developments in Snyderville Basin have no reservoirs. Park City’s water lawns Chief only every- Gibbs said indicates that Deer Water 40.00 Valley resident are using far more water than projected. Park City now will almost certainly adopt a summer rate hike, hoping that it will induce revwater savings. Any additional enue will go to developing new water sources, Gibbs said. In Park City, that means bringing in new Kelly Gee, Summit County bl 1d Creek, Parley thi i Emigration, ind Littke Cottonwood to that Mountain Dell, Canyons. Litthe Dell Deer and « hief could water shut pres down development outside Park City er, if he determines that water panies can not water pressure new propcom- guarantee sufficient in fire hydrants to fight fires. Creek isn’t a unified Summit City more been Summit pending (before expensive the State Division of Water Rights) for at least three years . . . to get them transferred and approved,” Gibbs said. New water sources take a minimum bring in, he noted for Park of five years City to Water to Fight Fires in Snyderville? The quantity of water in the Snyderville Basin, just north of Park City, and other locations in western Summit County, is in question. The U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with Summit County and Park City, is presently conducting a study to determine how much water is actually available. The answer will be another two years in coming. he question is a keen one, because 13 separate water companies are vying to sell water to numerous new housing and commercial developments along the corridor from Parleys Summit to Park West Boulevard. The competition between the water companies is something of a modern day water war with disputes breaking out almost daily. But that may not be the greatest of their problems. Wells for new developments have reportedly resulted in older wells running dry. PAGE City. For the first time County in years, Commission the recently addressed the creation of a unified Snyderville Basin water district. But details for the complex matter of combining the 13 water entities may not be forthcoming in the near future. “In most cases, Utah water law stands in the way of conservation.” — Karen Ricks Conservation Program, Central Utah Water Conservancy District Salt Lake City Utters the “‘C’’-Word Salt Lake City planners want to conserve water. Not because the city doesn’t have enough, but because there won’t be enough aqueducts in the near future to deliver enough water during peak usage in summer months. This year, summer rates will be bumped up. And that, says LeRoy Hooten, director of public utilities for Salt Lake City, will save city residents from investing another $100 million in aqueducts and treatment facilities in the next decade. Residents in Salt Lake City are sitting pretty when it comes to avail11 on a aqueducts ment and Reservoirs hot flow wel will from Big Salt Ad an Lake increase. afternoon necessary if residents their water likely July are “In general, County, Salt Lake lengthy that as Brigham lil Ci City is in an enviable position, boast ing unrealistically low water rates B: to deliver enough water fro Deer Creek to everyone in Salt Lake As long as there water district in west ith I inform him of available sure to fight fires process. “We have water rights that have a right Summit County — save the Park Cit municipality — have been willing t change — | sinning tappe The said recently that non« companies in western confusion and water disputes will continue, said Steve Clyde, a noted water attorney who practices law in wells ] 60.00 50.00 ithe YOu! ough been $ PER MONTH | 30.00 Gibbs, other day and not during periods between 10 a n. and 7 p.m. But that hasn’t 20.00 10.00 every- Park City Public Works Director in ““We’ve enjoyed green lawns and gardens and people want to continue that lifestyle. But as we come near the end of our water supply, we will have to offer the people a question: do they want to spend half-a-billion dollars to bring in Bear River water, or risk a brown-out every 7-to10 years.” Jerry $19.90 | past four years, Parkites should have Conserving said $25.56 $22.34 Rate) 0.00 Fire District, yf the water want,” to water a Park City already has instituted summer watering restrictions. For the practical, able $30.54 $29.02 Sa Pork City Lake County will need 50,000 acrefeet of new water by 2010.” we be i we thing not a Portland (Peak S60. $36.49 Las Vegas “We need to do more with conservation . . . but conservation isn’t enough,” Ovard said. “Most of Salt percent may cere rer Albuquerque Park City’s finite water supply - meaning that water may soon be running short during summer months “With the present rate of g rowth and rate of water usage, in five years, 556.57 en $49.50 National Average a Huge houses and lawns being built in Deer Valley and other upscale Park City developments are to RATES Los Angeles gravity. beginning WATER eine Teen NGA MEET see do not use patterns, they their water bills However, those who imple- water savings strategies as they relate to summertime lawn and other irrigation uses, will likely see water bills hold steady or decrease,” Hooten said. Drought Impact, Conservation and Water Law Seven of the past ten years were characterized by low rainfall, snowpack and accompanying drought in northern Utah. Despite that, there were no watering restrictions along the Wasatch Front. And, indeed, water flowed as freely as ever. says That, Eldon Laird, spokesman of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, is because pre- sent water capacity can withstand a seven-year drought when compared to present demand. The capacity of Strawberry Reservoir, 500,000 to 1.15 million acre feet can provide most of the water needs along the Wasatch Front during a seven-year period of drought, Laird explained. In addition, when full, the Jordanelle will provide water needs through a three-year drought. “We're in pretty good shape for a dry state,” says Laird. Still, as demand increases, will become more expensive eventually, northern Utahns water and may reach out to the Bear River, he noted. Continued on page 18 |
