Water Studies Inform Future 40-Year Plan for Moab City's Supply Needs

The Regular City Council Meeting held on July 8, 2025, in Moab, Grand County, Utah, focused primarily on water resource management and planning for future needs. The meeting began with a presentation on the current state of water resources, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing monitoring and data collection to ensure sustainable water supply for the community.

The discussion highlighted the existing gaps in data regarding aquifer capacity and water quality. Experts suggested that to better understand the potential for increased water extraction from local aquifers, the city should consider drilling additional monitoring wells. This would allow for more precise assessments of water levels and quality over time. The importance of monitoring spring flows and water chemistry was also underscored, as changes in these factors could indicate stress on the aquifers.

A significant point of discussion was the development of a 40-year water rights plan. This plan aims to outline projects and strategies to meet the city's water needs over the coming decades. The council members expressed interest in the timeline for the final report related to this study, which is intended to inform the broader water management strategy.

The presentation concluded with a request for acknowledgment of the completed study, which has undergone legal and staff review, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders. The council members raised questions about the interactions between different water sources and how they are managed, indicating a need for clarity on the infrastructure that supports water extraction.

Overall, the meeting emphasized the critical need for comprehensive water management strategies in Moab, with a focus on data-driven decision-making to ensure the sustainability of water resources for the future. The council plans to continue discussions on these topics in upcoming meetings, aiming to finalize the water rights plan and enhance monitoring efforts.