Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Supply topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cottonwood Creek official says untreated stock water is being plumbed into new homes
Summary
Greg Johansson, president of Cottonwood Creek Consolidated Irrigation Company, told the Planning Commission that project “B” shares tied to Jills Valley Reservoir are limited to agricultural use and that some new homes outside city culinary systems are being connected to raw stock water, raising public-health and enforcement concerns.
Greg Johansson, president of the Cottonwood Creek Consolidated Irrigation Company, told the Emery County Planning and Zoning Commission that some recently permitted homes outside city limits are being connected to stock (raw) water lines intended only for livestock and agriculture.
"They're stockholders, and they come to us and say, 'I need a stock water connection' ... and then that stock water is being plumbed into their homes," Johansson said, adding: "Their homes are now got raw water in their system. Untreated." He emphasized that B shares from Jills Valley Reservoir are project water that "can only be used for agriculture" and are governed by a contract with the Emery Water Conservancy District.
Commissioners and staff responded by noting that county subdivision and building-permit checklists require a letter from a culinary water system operator verifying a water connection for each lot. Commissioners said enforcement gaps exist where building permits may be issued without the county or assessor flagging lots that lack verified culinary hookups.
Commission member comments focused on two remedies: tightening minor-subdivision requirements so subdividers install necessary infrastructure, and improving cross-checks at the assessor/recorder level so buyers know a parcel lacks buildable culinary service. Johansson urged clearer permit language and earlier coordination with water companies to prevent buyers from assuming culinary service when only stock water is available.
The Commission did not take formal action on water policy at the meeting but asked Johansson to remain available while the Commission proceeds through minor-subdivision reviews and ordinance updates.
