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Board approves joint funding to pressurize Coop Farm and Huntsville Southbench irrigation systems
Summary
The Utah Board of Water Resources authorized combined loans to Coop Farm Irrigation Company and Huntsville Southbench Canal Company to replace open canals with pressurized HDPE pipeline, meter flows, and replace diversion structures; both projects passed unanimously with 0% interest, 15-year terms.
The Utah Board of Water Resources authorized funding for two closely linked irrigation pressurization projects serving agricultural shareholders near Huntsville in Weber County.
Ethan Stayner, Division of Water Resources staff, presented RE495 for Coop Farm Irrigation Company. Staff described a joint project that will replace approximately 14,000 feet of shared conveyance with 20-inch and 24-inch HDPE pipe, replace roughly 4,250 feet of applicant-owned pipeline with 6-inch HDPE, install a new diversion structure and screening system, add approximately 21 turnouts and upgraded service meters, and fully pressurize previously open canals. The report said the Coop Farm system currently loses about 25% of diverted water and that replacing open canals will “virtually eliminate” conveyance losses and reduce energy use by enabling gravity-fed pressurized delivery.
Staff recommended board authorization of a 17.5% cost share of Coop Farm’s project costs (up to $348,000) as a 0% interest purchase over 15 years with annual payments of about $23,200. At the meeting Coop Farm representatives stated the system has long lost about 25% of diverted water. The motion to authorize the staff recommendation was made on the record and passed unanimously.
Brad (presenter) then described RE496 for the Huntsville Southbench Canal Company, a companion project that would replace roughly 18,400 feet of deteriorated concrete-lined canal and existing pipeline with HDPE, build a new diversion structure, and extend service to five previously unserved acres. Staff recommended authorization of a 16.1% cost share of the Huntsville Southbench project cost (up to $320,000), also as a 0% interest purchase over 15 years with annual payments of approximately $21,350. The Huntsville motion likewise passed unanimously.
Staff said the projects were jointly awarded a Bureau of Reclamation water and energy efficiency grant; shared conveyance costs will be split 70%/30% between Coop Farm and Huntsville Southbench where the two systems overlap.
Ending: Both measures were approved without dissent; staff said metering and pressurization will give better measurement of deliveries and reduce conveyance loss, and that construction and grant administration will proceed under the terms presented to the board.
