Cedar City considers $13–17 million West Side project to lower system pressure and meet state chlorination order

Cedar City officials and outside consultants presented a phased plan on Thursday to lower unusually high pressures in the city’s western transmission system, meet a Utah Division of Drinking Water order to chlorinate all sources and create redundancy by connecting to Central Iron County Water Conservancy District.

Consultant Steve Jones of Hansen, Allen & Luce told the council that “Cedar City is under order from the Utah division of drinking water to treat all sources,” and that the state can enforce compliance “with fines.” Jones said the city’s unusually high distribution pressures — which consultants said spike to about 375 pounds per square inch in some locations — make it difficult to install a conventional chlorination system and to interconnect with neighboring systems.

The consultants presented three phasing options. The most complete option (phase 3) — equipping the Quichapa wells, connecting Cedar City’s pipeline to Central Iron at the junction near Iron Springs (the “Y”), building two pump stations and constructing an 800 South buried concrete tank — was estimated at about $17 million. A smaller initial build that omits the 800 South tank was estimated at about $13 million up front, with the tank as a later add of roughly $4 million. An alternative phased approach that saves some work for later was estimated in total at about $18 million because some equipment would need replacement when the final tank is added.

Mayor (unnamed at the retreat) framed the priorities: “My goal has been in the beginning was to buy water… The only comment I’d make about that is I believe that if we sell water, that water money should never be used for other things and should only be used to reacquire water.” The mayor and consultants repeatedly emphasized both complying with the Division of Drinking Water mandate and creating long‑term system resilience.

Why change the West Side system now

Consultants said the Quichapa well field pumps from low elevation to the Cross Hollow tank at much higher elevation, producing the extreme system pressures. Jones said reducing pressure requires staged lifts — intermediate pump stations or tanks — so wells do not pump all the way to Cross Hollow at one high head. One option would use Central Iron’s existing tank near Iron Springs to break the lift and immediately lower pressures, enabling conventional chlorination.

Ridley Griggs, another consultant on the team, said re‑equipping and rehabilitating the roughly 20–25‑year‑old Quichapa wells is economical when done together: “While you have it pulled apart, we recommend that you re‑rehab the wells.” The consultants recommended videoing and cleaning the wells when pumps are pulled and replacing motors and pumps where appropriate; they noted that doing that work as part of the interconnection project reduces incremental cost vs. doing it later.

Operational tradeoffs and benefits

Consultants said the project would reduce pressure spikes toward a target of less than about 150 psi and make it possible to meet the state chlorination requirement with conventional equipment. Lower pressures also expand options to accept treated water from Central Iron and to add redundancy to long dead‑end lines such as Equestrian Point and parts of Lund Highway. The team estimated that modifying conveyance and connecting to Central Iron also could produce ongoing electricity savings; Rocky Mountain Power has indicated incentives may be available to offset project cost, the consultants said, but they did not provide an incentive dollar amount at the meeting.

Council discussion and near‑term decisions

Council members asked about phasing tradeoffs, life cycle costs and whether temporary pump stations would have to be replaced later. The consultants said two‑pump‑station phasing without the 800 South tank could be designed to operate long term (with careful controls) and that modeling will show the operational impacts. City staff and the consultants agreed to model connector options before the council meets next Wednesday. City water operations manager Matt Baker said the district connection could be used on an emergency basis if the city lowers pressures first and installs appropriate pressure‑sensing valves.

What was not decided

No formal votes were taken at the retreat. Council members identified a decision the following week on whether Cedar City should pursue a Central Iron interconnect along Highway 56 or instead build a new connection under the railroad at 3900 West. Consultants and staff agreed to run model scenarios for the council and report back with more precise cost, hydraulic and energy estimates.

Ending note

Consultants urged conservative budgeting for capital projects and said early design and competitive bidding could reduce final cost. They recommended the city prioritize the pressure‑reduction work to satisfy the Utah Division of Drinking Water mandate and to unlock longer‑term source and redundancy benefits if Central Iron cooperation is feasible.