Iron County commissioners voted on Nov. 10 to adopt Ordinance 2025-12, adding a water use and preservation element to the county general plan to comply with state requirements under Utah Code 17-27a-403.

County planning staffer Brett said the general plan element is intended as an advisory guide and "does not create regulations or requirements but may recommend new policies or strategies," stressing the role of the plan in guiding land-use decisions. He told commissioners the element assesses current municipal and industrial (M&I) water demand, conservation methods for existing and future development, and operations opportunities to reduce wastewater impacts.

The presentation summarized groundwater management plan constraints, recharge projects and population projections used in the draft. Using middle-of-the-road projections from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Brett said the county could grow by about 28,000 residents by 2060 and described how that projection translates into increased M&I demand. He highlighted existing recharge projects in Cedar Valley and the Perowan recharge project under construction and noted recharge credits are recognized by the state.

Commissioners questioned implementation details and crediting for recharge projects; Brett said the element preserves options—zoning overlays, voluntary subdivision water budgets, turf limits and support for advanced metering infrastructure—without imposing immediate new regulations. "We could potentially look at turf limits and building codes to continue to support water-efficient fixture standards," he said. Chair and other commissioners stressed the county needs maps and rules the state must provide for HB48 implementation before local enforcement would be possible.

The commission opened the public hearing, heard no public comments specific to the draft at that moment, and then moved to adopt the ordinance as presented with an expectation that staff and commissioners will refine implementation details as state rules and maps are released. A voice vote was recorded in favor and the motion carried.

Next steps: the county will forward the adopted element as its advisory water-use guidance and pursue any implementing ordinances or regulatory changes only after additional policy work and coordination with water providers and the state.