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Santaquin council adopts water-use element update to general plan
Summary
The Santaquin City Council unanimously adopted an updated water-use element to its general plan, consolidating past water-conservation ordinances and identifying a projected outdoor-watering gap; the update was covered by a $20,000 state grant.
Santaquin — The Santaquin City Council on Dec. 2 adopted an update to the city’s general plan that adds a water-use element aimed at strengthening local water-conservation policy.
City staff told the council the update consolidates prior conservation ordinances, clarifies current and projected water demands and highlights a gap between available water rights and outdoor irrigation needs at build-out. The plan was developed with master-planning contractor Hansen Allen Luce and was supported by a $20,000 state grant that covered study costs.
Staff emphasized the disparity is driven primarily by outdoor watering needs rather than indoor culinary demand. Council discussion noted the city expects to rely partly on future development dedications of water and on building additional infrastructure — staff said the general plan includes consideration of a second well to provide redundancy.
The update also referenced the statewide adjudication process for water rights, which staff said is managed by the state of Utah and may not affect local claims until several years from now; the city plans to respond to adjudication notices as required. Council members asked whether adjudication and validation of rights are part of the plan; staff said the element addresses historic and projected demands while actual legal adjudication is a separate state process.
Council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance adopting the water-use element. The staff presentation and the council vote closed the item; no amendments were offered on the council floor.
