Tooele CountyPlanning and Zoning Commissioners voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the County Council to adopt a new water element for the county's general plan after a consultant presentation and a public comment.

Katie Jacobson of Hanson, Allen & Luce presented the draft element, explaining that recent state legislation requires counties to include a water element describing how permitted development affects water demand and infrastructure. "We were asked to look at the effect of permitted development on water demand and infrastructure," Jacobson said, describing the water-budget approach (comparing supply and demand) used for public water systems in the county.

Jacobson showed charts indicating supply and demand trends in public water systems, noting some high-demand years (2020 and 2024) linked to dry conditions and that, on a per-capita basis, urban use is fairly steady or slightly declining. She emphasized that agricultural water use remains a major driver of county water demand and that if agricultural land converts to urban use overall demand may decrease but would require treated water sources for indoor use. "Agricultural use is still a very high use in the county and should continue to remain a focus," she said.

Commissioners asked whether the element covered all municipalities and whether private wells were included. Jacobson said cities of the fourth class or larger (for example, Tooele City and Grantsville) prepare their own elements and that the county-level element focuses on public water systems; private wells were not included in this draft though groundwater studies were consulted.

During the public hearing, Rush Valley resident Leland Togan told the commission he received notices and reviewed the materials, discussed reporting processes with the Division of Drinking Water and the state engineer's office, and urged continued attention to drought-related spikes in usage.

After discussion, a motion to recommend adoption of the water element to the County Council passed on a roll-call vote. The transcript records Commissioner Dow's roll-call entry as "5." (in the audio record) and other commissioners recorded yes votes; the recommendation will go to the County Council for final adoption.

Next steps: the County Council will consider the draft water element; the planning commission's action is a recommendation, not a final adoption.