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Mayor warns of aquifer stress and changing Strawberry water rules; council to seek updated impact‑fee analysis
Summary
The mayor warned the council that a Mount Nebo groundwater model projects continued aquifer stress and that planned Strawberry water pipeline and conversion work could allow irrigation water to be used for municipal/industrial purposes; the council directed staff to seek an updated impact‑fee analysis and to explore water‑protection options.
The mayor gave an extended presentation on Genola’s water context, highlighting a Mount Nebo Water Association groundwater study and federal Central Utah Project (Strawberry) developments that could affect local irrigation and municipal water supplies.
Key points from the mayor and staff: - The Mount Nebo groundwater study used federal aquifer models and historic pump records; the mayor summarized the town’s location in an aquifer area that the study projects to be stressed through mid‑century if current pumping trends continue. “Based on this analysis, we’re in some serious trouble in that aquifer,” he said. - Separately, the Strawberry/Central Utah Project pipeline work and proposed conversion could allow Strawberry water to be piped, treated and used for municipal and industrial (M&I) purposes. The mayor said Congress and the Bureau of Reclamation are considering changes to allow that conversion; if approved it could take effect later in the calendar year. That change would let some landowners convert irrigation water to M&I water and sell or transfer it off their land, a dynamic the town’s leaders said could reduce local irrigation supplies. - The town previously purchased roughly 500 acre‑feet of Strawberry/CUP water (around 2002) that could be delivered when the pipeline and delivery systems are in place. - The mayor recommended the council consider options used elsewhere—e.g., requiring developers to dedicate secondary water to the city or recording covenants that keep water with the parcel—to avoid losing water supplies as development proceeds.
Impact‑fee discussion and next steps: Town staff also briefed the council on impact fees (parks, water, roads). Staff reported that an updated impact‑fee analysis is advisable because the town’s current analysis is old; for towns under 5,000 population and annual fee collections under $250,000, some requirements are simplified, but an updated analysis is still needed to defend fees from legal challenges. Staff proposed collecting quotes from vendors (including banks and engineering firms) to perform an updated impact‑fee analysis and a facilities plan if required; Zions Bank and other vendors provided ballpark costs in the meeting discussion.
Outcome: The council directed staff to collect price quotes and return with recommendations for an updated impact‑fee analysis and to continue research on policy options to protect the town’s water rights and secondary water delivery.
Why it matters: The combination of aquifer stress, potential Strawberry water reclassification, and development pressures could materially affect Genola's long‑term water supply and the town’s growth capacity. The council’s near‑term decisions on impact‑fee analysis and water‑policy options will shape infrastructure funding and development approvals.
Ending: Staff will solicit cost proposals for an updated impact‑fee analysis and return to council with comparative quotes and policy options for protecting town water resources.
