Weber Basin officials tell planning commission local water supply is limited; conservation and conversion key

Scott Paxman and John Perry of the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District told Weber County planning commissioners on April 15 that long-planned large imports from the Bear River are uncertain and that the district's near-term supplies are limited.

The discussion at a county work session focused on where future municipal water for western Weber County would come from as new subdivisions and a proposed master-planned community seek supply. Paxman, introduced as the district's general manager and CEO, answered commissioners' questions about available sources and conservation options. "I can do our best," Paxman said when asked to estimate availability.

The district officials said reliance on the Bear River project has become doubtful in light of regional hydrology and the Great Salt Lake situation. John Perry, the district's assistant general manager, described the infrastructure that would be required for the Bear River plan: "So there would be at least 1, possibly, 3 reservoirs up in Box Elder and Cache County," plus large downstream pipelines and a major treatment plant intended to serve Weber Basin and other retail systems.

With that project uncertain, district staff said the remaining near-term supply is limited. Officials put the district's…