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Commission Reviews State-Mandated Water-Use Preservation Element; Staff Seeks Input
Summary
Staff presented a state-required water-use preservation element to the general plan and asked the commission for feedback; city engineering said the city is 'ahead of the curve' but must finish the update by the state deadline at year-end.
Staff presented a state-directed requirement to add a water-use preservation element to Cedar City's general plan and solicited commissioner input on strategies to reduce per-capita water demand and eliminate wasteful practices.
Amber (staff) explained the state requires a plan containing four elements, including analysis of how development patterns affect water demand and infrastructure. She said consultants (Hal Engineering) have provided a 30% draft and will return with a 90% draft on Oct. 28 and a final draft for council recommendation in November. "We do need to work with the water conservation district in developing this plan," she told the commission.
Jonathan Stouthis of the city engineering department said Cedar City has ordinances and conservation tiers that encourage reduced usage and that many developers now choose conservation tiers. Stouthis said the state has mandated the element "needs to be done by the end of the year." Commissioners suggested outreach to large users (golf course, aquatic center, SUU, school district), education campaigns, and incentives or recognition programs for water-wise landscaping.
Staff said it would add tangible lists of drought-friendly plants and further outreach materials to the consultant draft. The consultant and staff plan to incorporate commissioner suggestions into forthcoming drafts and bring them back to the commission for further review before council consideration.
