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City manager warns of sharply reduced irrigation supplies; council considers steeper tiers for heavy users
Summary
Staff projected an estimated 15% reduction in available irrigation water this year compared with 2025 and proposed raising charges for the highest two or three tiered-usage bands to deter excessive residential use; councilors asked for public outreach before any May decision.
City Manager Goodwin and public-works staff laid out a month-by-month water sourcing forecast showing a substantial decline in Pleasant Grove Irrigation Company (PGIC) deliveries and an overall projected drop from about 2,175 acre-feet used in 2025 to an optimistic projection of roughly 1,856 acre-feet for 2026.
Goodwin warned that PGIC deliveries "might be even optimistic" and said that if the city draws heavily on Central Utah Project (CUP) allotments early it could deplete supplies for later in the season. He described options including modest increases to groundwater pumping and carefully timing use of CUP water, but cautioned that overdrawing could leave the city with reduced allotments in future years.
Given the supply risk, staff proposed that the council consider raising the rates for the top usage tiers (above 150% of allotment) at the May meeting as a financial disincentive for extreme overuse. Staff presented example surcharge levels for the upper tiers: $5.00/1,000 gallons (150–200%), $6.20/1,000 (200–250%), and $7.90/1,000 (over 250%). Goodwin emphasized a strong education push before implementation: mailing a one-page notice to every household explaining the proposal, how users find their allotment, and how to monitor usage.
Councilors agreed the public should be engaged before adopting any rate changes and asked staff to bring the proposal back in May with outreach materials prepared.
