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Council considers private well offer as short‑term water supply option
Summary
Council discussed an offer to secure a large private well on Rush Flats (described as a potential 4,000 gpm capacity) as one component of the broader water plan; members debated cost, purchase terms and off‑ramps if quality or quantity tests fail.
A private proposal to develop a large well on Rush Flats drew detailed discussion during Cedar City’s May work meeting as council considered ways to expand supply without immediately bonding for the full $22–23 million package.
The speaker (mayor) described an arrangement in which a landowner would have a well drilled on specified land and the city would acquire rights and first access to a stated capacity; the mayor said such a deal could provide sizable near‑term yield but carries cost and quality risk. Council discussed whether to fund a smaller test well first, or to accept a developer’s plan to drill a larger production well and then certify its yield with the state.
Councilmembers pressed for clarity about who would pay for drilling if the well failed quality or quantity tests. Several members suggested negotiating an off‑ramp and staged payments; one councilmember recommended staff obtain KP Ventures’ pricing and terms and report back within a week. Staff said the state will certify yields after test pumping and that the city would only be able to divert a certified fraction of a well’s tested yield.
No purchase agreement was approved. Staff were directed to seek additional contracting details, cost breakdowns and potential testing plans before any commitment.
