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Orangeville council adopts ordinance requiring meters for large secondary irrigation connections
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Summary
After a public hearing, the Orangeville City Council adopted Ordinance 2026-3 to tighten secondary irrigation rules, prohibit flood irrigation and require meters for parcels larger than a half-acre; the ordinance directs staff to implement metering and enforcement steps for 2026.
Orangeville's City Council on April 16 adopted Ordinance 2026-3, a measure amending the city code on secondary irrigation systems to clarify a ban on flood irrigation and require metering for larger connections. Council members said the move is intended to curb misuse of secondary water and help the city track monthly usage.
The ordinance, read into the record by staff, revises chapters 9-3-1, 9-3-2 and 9-3-4 and enacts a new chapter 9-3-6 that directs staff to install meters and enforce penalties. "The use of those watersheds shall be under the exclusive control and jurisdiction of the city," staff read aloud while summarizing the ordinance language. Council members emphasized that property owners irrigating a half-acre or more must notify the city for 2026 so officials can monitor timing and volumes.
Council discussion focused on enforcement details and next steps rather than whether the city had authority to regulate secondary water. One council member said the city will require notification from large users in 2026 and will count sprinkler heads where applicable; another noted the ordinance will be posted and finalized under state statute. After discussion the council voted to adopt the ordinance; the motion passed and the measure is effective on posting pursuant to Utah law.
Why it matters: Orangeville owns secondary water shares delivered through Cottonwood Creek Consolidated Irrigation Company, and metering is intended to reduce waste, prevent distribution to other parcels, and provide a basis for enforcement. For 2026 the council added a stipulation that owners who will water a half-acre or more notify the city in advance so staff can track use throughout the season.
Implementation: The ordinance directs staff to complete any non-substantive edits and post the final ordinance and to take steps required under Utah Code to bring the measure into effect. Questions that remain include the timing of meter installations and whether some connections will be grandfathered; staff was directed to return with operational details.