Planning commissioners recommend county adopt Water Use and Preservation element after public hearing

The Utah County Planning Commission on an information agenda recommended the addition of a Water Use and Preservation element to the Utah County general plan following a consultant presentation and a public hearing. Staff and consultants said the element is advisory and intended to help the county coordinate land-use planning with water-supply realities.

Consultants from Hansen Allen & Luce told commissioners the element was prompted by a recent state law and concerns about the Great Salt Lake and water availability. Consultant Katie Jacobson said the county’s total water volume currently appears to meet demand, but “the nuance there is that a lot of the current water supply is surface water … the demands that are coming in the future will be more indoor demands that will require treated water,” and that the county will need more treated or drinking water capacity going forward.

Jacobson described the studies used to inform the plan — a 2019 Mount Nebo Water Agency study covering southern Utah County and a 2025 Northern Utah County aquifer study — and said the draft element focuses on smaller public community water systems in unincorporated areas rather than municipal systems. The consultant reported unincorporated community systems averaged about 374 gallons per day per capita and cited a state conservation target for the Provo River area of 179 gallons per day per capita by 2030; the presentation also noted a further target for 2040 but the transcript wording about the second figure was unclear.

Public commenters from irrigation and canal companies generally supported the planning emphasis on water but urged more direct outreach to local water users and better notice about the draft. Eldon Packer of Lakebottom Irrigation Company said he received mailed notice only the day before the meeting and asked that staff “talk with the people who actually use it” before finalizing recommendations. Other speakers, including municipal water board and aquifer-council representatives, urged efficiency and coordination.

Staff clarified the proposed element is advisory: any regulatory changes would require separate land-use ordinance amendments and additional public notice. Bryce Armstrong and staff said the planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Utah County Commission for a final decision; staff said the county commission agenda is expected to include the item in early December to meet state adoption timelines.

What’s next: The planning commission recommended approval to the county commission; the county commission will conduct the formal hearing and decision. Written comments on the draft remained open after the meeting, and staff said they will evaluate and integrate comments as appropriate.