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Board commits $12.7M for Hurricane City water system expansion and pressurized irrigation
Summary
The board committed up to $12,665,000 (33.5% of a roughly $37.8M project) for Hurricane City’s combined pressurized irrigation expansion and drinking water upgrades; the assistance will be repaid on a 0% bond over 25 years under staff recommendation.
Hurricane City officials presented a multi‑phased water infrastructure package to the Board of Water Resources and the board voted to commit up to $12,665,000, representing 33.5% of an updated total project cost of about $37.8 million, with bonded indebtedness to be repaid at 0% interest over 25 years and annual payments of roughly $528,000 including reserves.
Ethan (Division staff) summarized the project components: more than 15 miles of new pipeline for a pressurized irrigation (PI) expansion, construction of two 3 million‑gallon settling ponds, two new wells and a 2 million‑gallon Sky Ranch storage tank for drinking water, and interconnecting pipelines. The PI expansion is intended to reduce demand on the culinary system by moving outdoor irrigation to pressurized secondary water, while the new wells and tank increase source and storage for drinking water and fire protection.
Staff explained the authorized amount reflects earlier board authorization (Dec 2023) and later cost escalations; NRCS is covering a substantial share of PI construction costs (design and 75% of PI construction), and the city has other grant funding. Board members, including the local representative, expressed support for stretching culinary water supplies and converting outdoor irrigation to secondary water. Mayor Nanette Billings, water superintendent Ken Richards and city manager Caden DeMille described the city’s growth pressures, planned conservation and an intention to adjust outside‑water rates as the system converts to PI.
A motion to commit the recommended funds passed by unanimous voice vote. Staff and applicants noted the NRCS and other grant partners are pursuing additional funds to cover a project cost increase; those additional requests were not part of the motion before the board.
