Ivan City plans $1 billion water reuse system to secure future supply and enhance conservation

In a recent State of the City Address, Ivins officials unveiled a significant water conservation initiative aimed at securing the city’s water supply for the next two decades. The plan, which involves a $1 billion investment in a reuse water system, is a response to the fully allocated Virgin River drainage and the challenges surrounding the Lake Powell Pipeline project.

The city has engaged Stantec Engineering, a renowned firm specializing in water reuse systems, to model the proposed infrastructure. Their findings revealed that only one of the two planned reservoirs would be necessary, a decision that could save the city $21 million. This determination is attributed to Ivins’ impressive record of low per capita water usage, which is currently the lowest in Utah. The city has successfully reduced its water allocation for new developments from 0.89 acre-feet to 0.59 acre-feet, with current usage averaging just 0.43 acre-feet.

Additionally, Ivins is poised to implement a secondary irrigation system to enhance water efficiency across the city. This initiative has been in the works since 2000 but has faced challenges due to high costs. However, new residential landscape standards are expected to further decrease outdoor water use, making the extensive irrigation system less practical.

Looking ahead, Ivins aims to achieve an additional 10% reduction in water use through several key strategies. One major initiative is the introduction of Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which will allow residents to monitor their water usage via a mobile app. This technology is expected to promote transparency in billing and encourage conservation.

The city is also collaborating with Utah State University Extension Services to establish residential irrigation standards, aiming to reduce water loss from poorly designed systems. While the city cannot mandate these standards, they hope to provide resources that will help homeowners make informed decisions about their irrigation systems.

These efforts reflect Ivins’ long-standing commitment to water conservation, a principle that has been integral to the city’s development since the late 1980s. As Ivins moves forward with these initiatives, city officials express hope that their model will inspire broader changes across the state, addressing the critical issue of water sustainability in Utah.