Utah’s Alpine Aqueduct undergoes major upgrades amid geohazard concerns

The Orem City Council meeting on March 11, 2025, spotlighted the critical Alpine Aqueduct project, a key infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing water delivery in Utah. The project is part of the broader Central Utah Project, designed to optimize the use of the state's 23% allotment of Colorado River water, which translates to approximately 1.7 million acre-feet annually.

The Alpine Aqueduct, originally constructed between 1978 and 1980, currently supplies 60% of Orem's water needs. However, the aging infrastructure has faced challenges, including significant failures due to landslides and pipe cracking. Council members discussed plans for a major realignment of the aqueduct, which will involve replacing sections of the existing pipeline with a new 108-inch diameter pipe, significantly larger than the current 90-inch version.

This upgrade is essential not only for maintaining water supply but also for addressing geohazards identified in the area, including a historic landslide and proximity to the Wasatch Fault. The proposed changes aim to mitigate risks while ensuring reliable water delivery to approximately 1.6 million residents across Utah County and Salt Lake County.

The council emphasized the importance of this project in light of Utah's growing population and the increasing demand for water resources, particularly as agricultural land is converted into residential areas. The anticipated outcomes include improved water security and infrastructure resilience, crucial for the region's future sustainability.