Enoch council hears update on Anderson Well, Little Eden nitrate testing and regionalization talks

Public Works Director Hayden White updated the Enoch City Council on April 15 about several water-infrastructure items, including the Anderson Well drilling project, nitrate testing at the Little Eden Well, and regionalization discussions with neighboring entities.

White said the Anderson Well project would take an estimated 60–90 days if drilling were restricted to daytime hours, and potentially 30 days if nighttime drilling were permitted. He said the city was awaiting confirmation about loan or grant funding expected the following Friday. On water quality, White reported testing at Little Eden Well measured nitrates at 10.2 mg/L, close to the Utah Maximum Contaminant Level of 10.5 mg/L; the state is allowing the well to remain in service pending extensive testing, but there is concern the well could be lost to service.

White said the potential loss of Little Eden Well’s roughly 800 gallons per minute output was one reason to advance the Anderson Well regardless of funding status. He reported regional discussions with Cedar City and the Water Conservancy District about funding the Anderson Well and returning water into the regional system; staff estimated a regional deficit of about 3,000 acre-feet and an associated pipeline cost of roughly $3 million to be shared among entities.

Council Member Kimberlee Trower said she planned to meet with Cedar City colleagues to press for regional participation. The council discussed funding and coordination challenges and affirmed the Anderson Well as a priority for maintaining supply.