Ivins council signals shift away from requiring secondary water in new subdivisions

The Ivins City Council on Feb. 6 discussed revising its secondary water master plan and eliminating the requirement that developers install secondary water systems in new projects.

Mayor (speaker 4) framed the item as part of long‑running conversations about whether the city should obligate developers to install a second plumbing system and meter for non‑culinary irrigation water. Staff and councilmembers said secondary-water demand has dropped substantially with improved conservation standards and that an upcoming culinary-water treatment project could change infrastructure needs.

"We're getting our credit now because of use," one councilor said, noting that reduced demand and new agreements with the water district change earlier assumptions. Councilmembers discussed operational costs of installing and maintaining secondary systems, the burden on city staff for maintenance calls, and the possibility of replacing the current requirement with targeted installations only where warranted (parks, large-lot areas or where system capacity exists).

Members generally supported drafting code changes and sending them to the planning commission for ordinance revision. Staff noted that some previously-permitted projects may already have installed secondary plumbing and that changes would need to consider bonded obligations and projects currently under construction.

On regional drought planning, councilors urged colleagues to respond promptly to a conservancy-district survey and discussed reuse and reservoir options the district is pursuing. Councilmembers emphasized the need for coordinated regional responses to drought while leaving room for local tailoring of mandates.