Orem outlines $95 million five‑year wastewater upgrade plan; Linden’s share about $11.7M

Reid Price, Orem public utilities director, presented a capital-facilities plan for the shared Orem Water Reclamation Facility and said Phase 1 construction is currently estimated at about $88.8 million with another $6.6 million in engineering costs, totaling roughly $95.4 million over the next five years.

Price explained the contractual cost-share split: "Orem's portion is 85.68%, Linden's 12.24, and Vineyard's 2.08," and said Orem does not have the full cash on hand and anticipates a mix of financing and fund balances. He described options for partners — direct upfront payment, joining in Orem-issued bonds and paying back Orem over time, or other borrowing arrangements — and noted the city has previously used similar models when partners paid their proportional share for prior tertiary-treatment work.

Council members asked about capacity and useful life; Price said hydraulically the plant is sized for up to 15 million gallons per day and most of the current projects are replacements designed for 50-year lifespans rather than added hydraulic capacity. Staff said about $40 million of work is already designed and they are preparing to pull financing to start projects this year.

No vote or final financing decision was made at the meeting; staff will return with financing options and schedules for partner consideration.