Savannah Perkins

By Savannah Perkins

 

The Water Conservancy District efforts are bringing some changes to Cache County this year and new plans concerning implementation into the community were discussed.  

 

At the first meeting of the Bridgerland Water Conservancy Group on Monday afternoon, discussion moved through the current water situation, the process of getting to this point as well as continued expectations and efforts.

 

The past few years have brought significant investment in assessing how to sustain and protect the water supply within the county. Ultimately, through the development of a water master plan, the Cache County Council and water department decided at the beginning of the year that there is a need for a water conservancy group. The group’s purpose is to strategize and plan ways to conserve, develop, and stabilize supplies of water for domestic, irrigation, power and other uses.

 

“We have spent the last year getting the cities on board,” Councilman Val K. Potter said. “Most have been receptive, with only a few concerns.”

 

The group is continuing the county’s efforts in addressing concerns and advancing conversation in the communities. The group holds meetings that are open to the public. Concerns mostly have to do with understanding the purpose and questions about how this is going to affect the residents of the county financially, adding to local tax burdens.

 

“Cost is an issue because a district could add taxes,” said Bob Fotheringham, the county water manager. “It all depends on how the system matures, which is why we have to have strategies now.”

 

Fotheringham explained that the group has been working with Utah State University as well as other counties to look for best practices. They are looking at what works and what doesn’t work in water development and how it impacts the community.

 

“Water is a critical thing,” Potter said. “The time is now. We live in a desert and our county is growing.”

 

Looking at how the county is growing, Fotheringham explained how keeping up with the demand by monitoring and expanding the water supply is necessary.

 

The combined efforts of the group, Cache County Council and the water department, assures that they on track to have the Water Conservancy District on the ballot in November.