Board briefed on committal for Davis & Weber canal projects, Draper main replacement and meter funding

The Board of Water Resources heard staff briefings on several infrastructure projects that staff will ask the board to commit funds to at the board meeting.

Board staff said the Davis & Weber Canal Company has three related projects: a canal improvement project (RE482), a secondary irrigation project (RE483) and a secondary-meter funding round (RM121). RE482 was authorized in October 2024; staff recommended the board commit 85% of project costs up to $2,825,000, with purchase terms at about 3.177% interest over 15 years and annual payments of roughly $239,600. RE483, previously authorized in June 2024, is proposed for commitment at 42.5% of cost up to $3,200,000 at 1.95% interest over 30 years, producing an estimated annual payment near $141,900. For the latest meter round (RM121) staff reminded the board that the grant portion ($2,600,000) had been authorized earlier and that loan repayment terms for meters are proposed at 1% over 15 years; the loan principal amount for this round will be determined during the formal application/committal sequence.

Draper Irrigation Company (RE491) was also on the briefing agenda. Staff said the project replaces about 2,600 feet of 10-inch cast-iron culinary main with 12-inch PVC, replaces five fire hydrants and 29 connections, and adds a PRV station. The cost estimate is $1,132,000; staff recommended the board commit 85% of project costs up to $962,000 from the revolving construction fund at 0% interest over 25 years, with annual payments about $38,500.

Staff explained how the three Davis & Weber items have different interest rates and terms because the canal improvements do not produce measurable agricultural yield benefits (longer terms, lower rates were used), whereas M&I (municipal and industrial) projects use a bond-index-derived interest rate and shorter maximum repayment terms. Staff also reiterated that many meter installations have been funded earlier through ARPA grants and WaterSMART grants and that remaining work is constrained by installer availability in some areas.

On the Hiram City item staff said the city converted previously set-aside ARPA meter funds to a conservation-type project and then later rescinded the application; staff requested and the chair asked for a motion to withdraw the earlier allocation. Board staff also presented a new application summary (RE493, Dry Gulch Irrigation Company) as information; staff noted funding rules require at least 50% year‑round service connections and that some past applications failed that threshold.

No formal committal votes were recorded during the briefing; staff said formal motions and roll-call votes will occur during the board meeting following the briefing.