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Resident asks Scofield council to restore overflow water use as town cites legal limits
Summary
Resident Darren Jensen asked the council to allow use of overflow from an upper water tank to irrigate his property after someone poured Quikrete into the ditch; council reviewed 1987 minutes and said water-rights, easements and drinking-water rules must be checked before action.
A Scofield resident urged the town council on Monday to restore access to overflow water from an upper town tank, saying the flow would reduce fire risk and help his garden.
"I would just like to get that back," said resident Darren Jensen during the public-comment portion of the council meeting, describing past use of the overflow and alleging someone poured Quikrete into the ditch that carried water to his property.
Council members reviewed historical town minutes dating to 1987 showing prior complaints about tank overflow and discussions about piping overflow to Winter Quarters Creek. Minutes cited then-estimated costs of about $14,000 to pipe overflow lines and noted absence of drainage easements across some private properties.
Council members said multiple legal and technical issues must be resolved before changing the overflow pathway. They noted potential constraints from water-rights law, the town’s drinking-water rules (which require an air gap where nonpotable water may contact potable supplies), and the need for easements where pipelines cross private land.
Council discussion did not produce a policy change. The council agreed the matter requires follow-up with the county assessor/water-rights officials and the town’s drinking-water authority and tabled the request pending that research.
The council did not take formal action on the overflow request at Monday’s meeting; it instructed staff to investigate legal options and report back.
