Daniel council flags water risks from proposed Daniel Canyon mining; lead/copper testing and spring flows discussed

Council members received an update July 7 on water systems and sampling. Staff reported lead-and-copper tests were completed and some results returned; additional sampling remains scheduled. The town’s spring flows have declined in recent weeks, with staff reporting notable drops in gallons-per-minute at the springs used by the Daniel system.

Councilors discussed meter replacements and warranty issues for registers. The council noted that, while immediate operations appear to be functioning, monitoring and scheduling of required sampling (including a lead-and-copper round due in September) will continue.

Separately, council members raised a regional concern: a proposed blue-limestone mining operation in Daniel Canyon (a Lehi-based company) that would stockpile material and place a culvert across a creek. Meeting discussion said Wasatch County declined to schedule a public hearing and that the company has sued the county; council members said the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining and the Division of Drinking Water have public-comment processes open and that the town should consider sending a letter of opposition because of potential long-term impacts to local springs and downstream waters.

Council members asked staff to draft a letter on town letterhead expressing concern about water-source risk, to monitor the state public-comment timeline and to coordinate with regional partners. Councilors did not take a final policy vote at the meeting but signaled intent to elevate the issue for a formal council comment if warranted.

The meeting also included a brief report that the Stormhaven septic tanks will not require pumping this year but will be scheduled next year, and that staff will continue to track system needs.