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City warns of constrained water season; council readies two‑day watering plan if flows decline
Summary
Water staff reported unusually rapid snowmelt and reduced allocations from supplemental sources; the city may rely more on wells and could move from a three‑day to a two‑day watering schedule under its drought plan. Staff will keep daily monitoring and refine messages to residents.
Council Member Ernie John and water staff summarized an unusually early melt pattern that has produced early runoff but risks reduced sustained streamflow later in the season. Water staff explained the city normally gets 65–70% of culinary supply from the American Fork River and that this year the CUP allocation is expected but Provo River allocation was reduced to approximately 50% (about 750 acre‑feet). Jay Brems warned that "on average, the city uses 55 acre‑feet per day for PI water," highlighting the scale of irrigation demand and the potential need to rely more on wells and increased pumping.
Council discussed conservation measures, including delaying the pressurized irrigation start until May 1 and moving from a three‑day to a two‑day watering schedule if conditions worsen; Stage 2 (severe) in the city’s 2021 drought plan corresponds to two‑day limits. City Administrator David Bunker reminded the council that a 2021 water shortage contingency plan exists and recommended reviewing and updating it as needed. Staff were tasked to maintain consistent public messaging ("wait until May 1") and prepare to transition to two days per week if required; enforcement considerations and pump costs were highlighted as operational constraints.
