Planning commission recommends adding secondary-water standard with conservation exceptions

The Enoch City Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council add Section 3.7.0 to the Engineering Design Standards to address secondary water systems, with language allowing exceptions when conservation standards are met.

Council Member Trower raised concerns about mandating secondary-water installations for new development, noting the water district’s stated intention to convert reuse water into potable supply and saying that returning roughly 3 million gallons to the aquifer could benefit the city’s low aquifer. She suggested the city encourage existing homeowners with larger lots to install secondary systems rather than requiring two water lines on new homes, and she questioned the city’s capacity to monitor two separate systems and whether builders would seek compensation for installing potentially short-lived infrastructure.

Commissioner Kyle Jones and City Manager Ryan Robinson said many new developments already fall under conservation-tier requirements that limit lawn area and reduce irrigation demand. Hayden White of Public Works described past case-by-case exceptions for low-landscape developments and confirmed the city has capacity in its secondary-water tank to support installations where needed.

Commissioner Jones moved to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council to add Section 3.7.0 to the engineering standards, permitting exceptions where conservation standards (minimal grass, xeriscaping, park lands) are met; Commissioner David Hoopes seconded and all voted in favor.

Next steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for its public hearing and final determination.