Cedar City Council directs $2 million toward water-well exploration as leaders weigh aquifer risks and faster pipeline options

Cedar City leaders voted to move $2,000,000 into the water fund for new well exploration after a multi‑hour discussion about where to drill and how quickly new supplies could reach the city system. Council directed staff to obtain bids and more geologic data for a short list of candidate sites while continuing concurrent work on longer‑term valley options.

The council’s decision followed presentations from city engineering staff and hydrogeologist recommendations to adjust previously selected test locations. City engineer Jonathan Stath told the council that consultant Mervyn Cox recommended moving one site (2.4) slightly north, de‑prioritizing another (2.6), and adding two possible sites near Enoch Well No. 3 for testing. “We wanted to present that information to the council and see if there were possible changes to the recommended locations,” Stath said.

Why it matters: Cedar City has an immediate need to add reliable municipal water sources. Council members and residents described frequent shortages and…