Water is something we all use dozens of times a day without much thought, a faucet turned on, a lawn watered, a glass filled. In Cedar Valley, that reliability isn’t automatic. It depends on careful planning, responsible management, and a community that understands the value of every drop.
“Every Drop Counts” isn’t just a slogan. It’s a reminder that small actions, multiplied across thousands of homes and businesses, add up to something significant.
A Limited Resource
Unlike communities with large rivers or lakes, Cedar Valley relies heavily on groundwater stored in our aquifer. That water is replenished by snowpack, rainfall, streamflow, and managed recharge projects, but it isn’t unlimited. As our community grows, protecting this resource matters more every year. Every gallon conserved today helps ensure water is there for homes, businesses, agriculture, and future generations.
Small Actions Add Up
It’s easy to assume one leaking sprinkler or a few extra minutes of watering won’t matter. But multiply that across thousands of households, and the impact is real. A few habits that help:
Water your lawn before 10:00 a.m. to reduce evaporation. Repair leaking sprinkler heads and irrigation lines. Aim sprinklers at plants – not sidewalks or driveways. Choose water-wise landscaping and native plants where you can. Follow the weekly lawn watering guide to avoid overwatering. Fix household leaks as soon as you find them.
No single action solves our water challenges alone, but together, they protect one of Cedar Valley’s most valuable resources.
Working Together
Conservation is only one piece of the picture. Cedar Valley Water Conservancy is also investing in projects that stretch every available water source further. Managed aquifer recharge returns water to the groundwater basin. Water reuse projects provide treated water for irrigation, reducing the need to pump culinary-quality groundwater. Long-term planning, infrastructure upgrades, and new supply projects all work together to help secure Cedar Valley’s water future, so water can serve multiple purposes before it ever leaves the system.
Every Person Makes a Difference
Water conservation isn’t about one person making a huge sacrifice. It’s about thousands of us making thoughtful choices every day, shortening an irrigation cycle, fixing a leak, planting something drought-tolerant. When we all do a little, together we accomplish a lot.
Because in Cedar Valley, every drop counts.
Water Wise Tip Saving water doesn’t always mean using less, it often means using it more efficiently. Small improvements in how we water and maintain our landscapes can have a lasting impact on Cedar Valley’s water future.
Slow the Flow – Utah conservation tips and rebate programs.
We’re all in this together, and we’re here to help – reach out anytime you have questions about making your landscape more water-wise.
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The purpose of our Get To Know Your H2O series is to educate our community on all things water. Cedar Valley Water Conservancy (CVWC) is actively engaged in education, conservation, reuse and import projects to meet the growing demands on local water supply.
For every effort you make to conserve, you are doing your part, too. To Get to Know Your H2O, visit https://cedarvalleywaterutah.gov.
When we think about water, we often picture mountain streams, lakes, reservoirs, or the water flowing from our kitchen faucet. But one of Cedar Valley’s most important water sources is something we rarely see, our aquifer.
Hidden beneath the ground, the Cedar Valley aquifer serves as a natural underground reservoir that stores the groundwater supplying homes, businesses, schools, parks, and much of the agriculture throughout our valley. While it may be out of sight, it plays an essential role in our everyday lives.
What Is an Aquifer?
An aquifer is a layer of underground sand, gravel, and rock that holds water in the spaces between the sediment. Think of it like a giant natural sponge beneath the valley floor. As water from snowmelt, rainfall, streams, and managed recharge projects slowly filters through the soil, it fills these underground spaces, where it can be stored for years before being pumped to the surface through wells.
Unlike a lake or reservoir, an aquifer isn’t one large underground pool of water. Instead, the water moves slowly through the tiny spaces between layers of rock and sediment, creating a reliable source of groundwater for our community.
How Does the Aquifer Recharge?
Every spring, snowpack on Cedar Mountain begins to melt, sending water into Coal Creek and other natural drainage systems. Some of this water naturally seeps into the ground, helping replenish the aquifer.
Cedar Valley Water Conservancy also works to increase this natural recharge through managed aquifer recharge projects. Water that might otherwise be lost is directed into specially designed recharge basins, where it slowly filters into the ground and becomes part of the aquifer. Innovative projects like the Quichapa Recharge Project also help capture water that was once lost to evaporation, putting it back to work by supporting agriculture, reducing groundwater pumping, and replenishing our underground water supply.
Why Conservation Matters
The aquifer supplies much of the culinary water used throughout Cedar Valley, but it is not an unlimited resource. For many years, groundwater has been pumped from the aquifer faster than nature alone can replenish it. As a result, the Utah Division of Water Rights adopted the Cedar City Valley Groundwater Management Plan to help bring groundwater withdrawals back into balance with the aquifer’s long-term sustainable yield. The plan provides a framework for protecting this vital resource while ensuring water remains available for future generations. Conservation, water reuse, managed aquifer recharge, and the development of additional water supplies all play an important role in achieving that goal.
Simple actions-watering landscapes efficiently, fixing leaks, choosing water-wise plants, and using water only when needed, can make a meaningful difference. Every gallon conserved today is a gallon that remains available for tomorrow.
Every Drop Counts
Although we can’t see the aquifer beneath our feet, we depend on it every day. By understanding where our water comes from and making thoughtful choices about how we use it, each of us plays a role in protecting Cedar Valley’s water future.
The next time you turn on the tap, remember that the water you’re using likely began its journey as mountain snow, slowly filtering through the earth before being stored safely beneath the valley. It’s a remarkable natural system, one that is worth protecting for generations to come.
Water Wise Tip
You can’t see the aquifer, but you can help protect it. Conserving water, watering efficiently, and supporting water reuse and recharge projects all help ensure Cedar Valley has a reliable water supply for years to come.
The purpose of out Get To Know Your H2O series is to educate our community on all things water. Cedar Valley Water Conservancy (CVWC) is actively engaged in education, conservation, reuse and import projects to meet the growing demands on local water supply.
For every effort you make to conserve, you are doing your part, too. To Get to Know Your H2O, visit https://cedarvalleywaterutah.gov.
For many people, Coal Creek is one of Cedar Valley’s most recognizable landmarks. It winds through Cedar City, providing beautiful scenery and a reminder that our water begins high in the mountains. But Coal Creek does much more than add to our landscape, it plays a vital role in Cedar Valley’s water system.
Each spring, snowmelt from Cedar Mountain flows into Coal Creek, beginning a journey that supports farms, replenishes our aquifer, and helps provide water for our community. Unlike a major river that flows for hundreds of miles, Coal Creek is a creek with a limited watershed that eventually comes to an end. That means every drop of water is valuable, and Cedar Valley has developed innovative ways to make the most of this precious resource.
As the water travels downstream, some naturally seeps through the creek bed and into the ground, helping recharge the Cedar Valley aquifer. But the journey doesn’t stop there. Much of Coal Creek’s water is carefully managed to support agriculture, groundwater recharge, and water reuse projects that allow this limited water supply to benefit the community more than once.
Aerial image of Quitchipa – Cedar Valley Water Conservancy
Water That Works More Than Once
As Coal Creek flows through the valley, much of its water is diverted to irrigate local agricultural fields. That water helps grow crops that support our community and local economy.
When runoff exceeds immediate irrigation needs, Cedar Valley Water Conservancy works with partners to capture and put that excess water to work instead of letting it go to waste.
Some of the excess flow is directed into managed recharge basins, where it slowly filters through layers of soil and gravel before replenishing the Cedar Valley aquifer. This process, called managed aquifer recharge, helps restore groundwater supplies.
Giving Water a Second Purpose
Aerial image of Quitchipa – Cedar Valley Water Conservancy
Historically, water flowing into Quichapa Lake had elevated levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), making it unsuitable for culinary use. As the water sat in the lake, evaporation concentrated the dissolved minerals, causing TDS levels to continue rising while the water itself slowly disappeared. What was once a resource with limited use was eventually lost to evaporation. Today, the Quichapa Recharge Project has changed that outcome by capturing and repurposing this water to support agriculture, recharge the aquifer, and reduce groundwater pumping, turning a previously underutilized resource into part of Cedar Valley’s long-term water strategy.
The project diverts cleaner excess water into a specially designed “lazy river” where sediment can settle out naturally. From there, the water can either be pumped into a nearby agricultural fields for irrigation. When the farmer uses this surface water, they can idle their groundwater wells, reducing groundwater pumping and helping preserve the aquifer for culinary use.
Every Drop Has a Purpose
Coal Creek is more than a beautiful place to visit. It is part of a carefully managed water system that combines nature with innovative infrastructure. From mountain snowpack to agricultural irrigation, groundwater recharge, and water reuse, each step helps maximize one of Cedar Valley’s most valuable resources.
Projects like the Quichapa Recharge Project, and the recharge basins demonstrate how thoughtful planning can take water that was once lost to evaporation and put it back to work—supporting agriculture, replenishing the aquifer, and helping secure a reliable water supply for future generations.
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about the Quichapa Recharge Project and how it helps conserve water in Cedar Valley, visit:
An aquifer is a natural underground layer of sand, gravel, and rock that stores groundwater. Think of it as a giant underground reservoir that supplies water to homes, businesses, farms, and communities throughout Cedar Valley.
Unlike a lake or reservoir, you can’t see an aquifer, but it is one of our valley’s most valuable natural resources.
Did You Know? Much of the water that falls as snow on Cedar Mountain eventually makes its way through Coal Creek, where some of it naturally filters into the ground and helps replenish Cedar Valley’s aquifer. Nature has been recharging our water supply long before modern infrastructure existed.
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The purpose of the Water Wise Wednesday series is to educate our community on all things water. Cedar Valley Water Conservancy (CVWC) is actively engaged in education, conservation, reuse and import projects to meet the growing demands on local water supply.
For every effort you make to conserve, you are doing your part, too. To Get to Know Your H2O, visit https://cedarvalleywaterutah.gov.
We know how much this community cares about its lawns, gardens, and the land we all share — and we want to help you get the most out of every drop of water you use.
Here’s one simple habit that makes a real difference: water before 10:00 AM.
Cedar Valley summers are hot, dry, and windy, tough conditions for water trying to soak into the ground. Water in the afternoon heat, and a lot of it evaporates before it ever reaches your grass’s roots. Water during the cool morning hours instead, and more of it sinks deep into the soil where your lawn can actually use it.
Morning watering has another benefit: your lawn dries out during the day instead of sitting wet overnight, which helps prevent lawn disease and fungus.
Deeper Roots, Tougher Lawn
Deep watering trains grass roots to grow down instead of staying near the surface. Deeper roots mean a lawn that holds up better in the heat and needs less water overall. Frequent, shallow watering does the opposite, it keeps roots shallow and your lawn more vulnerable to drought stress.
A Few Easy Habits Water before 10:00 AM. Check sprinklers regularly for leaks, broken heads, or clogs. Aim sprinklers at your lawn, not the sidewalk or driveway. Water deeply, but less often. Adjust your schedule as the weather changes through the season.
Every Drop Counts
Water is one of our community’s most valuable resources, and we’re grateful to everyone in Cedar Valley doing their part to use it wisely. Small habits, multiplied across our neighborhoods, add up to a real difference.
Not sure if your sprinklers are running efficiently? Cedar Valley Water Conservancy offers free irrigation checks to help you spot leaks, fix coverage issues, and get more out of every watering day.
We’re all in this together, and we’re here to help — reach out anytime you have questions about making your landscape more water-wise.
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The purpose of our Get To Know Your H2O series is to educate our community on all things water. Cedar Valley Water Conservancy (CVWC) is actively engaged in education, conservation, reuse and import projects to meet the growing demands on local water supply.
For every effort you make to conserve, you are doing your part, too. To Get to Know Your H2O, visit https://cedarvalleywaterutah.gov.
Jeff Lennert - Waste Water Treatment Superintendent
Waste Water Treatment Superintendent Jeff Lennert 2026
Phase One of our Water Reuse Project Complete, Delivering Significant Water Savings for Cedar Valley Aquifer
Cedar Valley, Utah has reached a critical milestone in its long-term water conservation strategy with the completion of Phase One of the Water and Reuse Project at the Cedar City Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant north of Enoch.
The Reuse Project is housed at the Cedar City Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, a modern facility that treats more than 3 million gallons of wastewater each day. Contrary to common perceptions, the plant is a clean, organized, and highly maintained operation featuring carefully managed treatment systems and infrastructure designed to protect both public health and the environment.
The completion of Phase One marks a major step toward securing Cedar Valley’s water future through conservation, reuse, and responsible management of existing water resources.
The impact to Cedar Valley’s groundwater aquifer is substantial. The project is expected to offset nearly 3 million gallons of culinary water every day by replacing irrigation demand with reclaimed water. That equals approximately 9 acre-feet of water saved daily, water that can remain in the aquifer for residential and commercial use while helping Cedar Valley move closer to long-term sustainability under Utah’s Groundwater Management Plan.
The facility is overseen by Jeff Lennert, Wastewater Treatment Superintendent for Cedar City Corporation, who has worked at the plant for more than 20 years
The real work happens here, beneficial bacteria naturally break down waste and help clean the water.
Before Phase One upgrades, this area served as one of the final stages of wastewater treatment prior to the new reuse process.
One of several of the waste water cleaning tanks on the site.
Lennert has lived in Iron County since 1994. Prior to his work in wastewater treatment, he served in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Sergeant (E5), before continuing his service in a dual-status Army role as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief.
He says one of the most fascinating aspects of wastewater treatment is the biological process behind it.
“We use biology to actively decompose waste in the water in hours versus the days it would normally take in nature,” Lennert explained. “There really isn’t equipment cleaning the water — the bacteria do the work. We simply create an environment where the bacteria are healthy and able to consume the waste.”
Lennert believes reuse projects like this are essential for Cedar Valley’s future.
“I think we need to start reusing this water,” he said. “We need to do it as soon as possible and do whatever it takes to get it back to the cities and use it.”
He also hopes residents better understand the importance of protecting the wastewater system by being mindful of what gets flushed into it.
“Don’t use flushable wipes — they’re not flushable,” Lennert said with a laugh. “Pay attention to your water use, and come out and take a tour sometime.”
These tanks are where the water goes through the last level of cleaning before getting distributed back as secondary water.
Phase one is now operational
The project is part of a larger
multi-phase effort to recycle wastewater for beneficial reuse throughout Cedar
Valley. Phase One focused on treatment upgrades at the wastewater plant, while
Phase Two will involve construction of pump stations and pipelines needed to
distribute the reclaimed water to users across the valley.
Water Conservancy Manager Paul Monroe, Waste Water Treatment Superintendent Jeff Lennert, Congress Women Celeste Maloy, Waste Water Operator Johnny Glass
Congress Women Celeste Maloy with her team, the Cedar Valley water Conservancy Board touring the WWTP in Iron County Utah
Congress Women Celeste maloy & her team with CVWC board between the two systems of phase on of the effluent water reuse project.
Phase one of the project totaled $5.2 million, while phase two is estimated at approximately $11 Million. To date, roughly $7.6 million has been secured through regional partnerships, local municipality funding support, $4 million obtained by Representative Rex Shipp during the last legislative session, and $1.75 million from Congress women Celste Maloy along with another $3.4 million that she is currently working to get us.
Maloy has played a significant role in helping move the project forward at the federal level and is currently working to help secure the remaining funding needed for Phase Two construction. Approximately $3.4 million is still being pursued through additional federal funding opportunities in Washington, D.C.
As Cedar Valley continues to experience population and economic growth, projects like this one are becoming increasingly important in reducing demand on limited groundwater supplies while still supporting the needs of the community.
Through regional cooperation, strategic investment, and innovative reuse of existing water supplies, Cedar Valley Water Conservancy, Cedar City Corporation, and regional partners are taking meaningful steps to preserve the aquifer and strengthen the valley’s long-term water future.
What was once considered wastewater is now becoming part of the solution — helping Cedar Valley conserve, reuse, recharge, and secure water resources for generations to come
Image of the disks that clean the water during this process
Sky view of both containment areas of phase one of the effluent water resupply project.
One of the Cleaning containment systems that is being repared.
When waste enters the plant solids are removed and sent to this room.
Water Moving through the waste water treatment plant
Three million gallons of water requires a large line to move it back into the city
We hear and understand the concerns regarding water security in our valley. There is a lot of information circulating, and we want to provide clarity on how water policy and property rights currently work for any new development:
1. Water Rights & Private Property Under current policy, all new development—whether it is a home, a business, or a data center—is required to provide its own water. This water must be acquired from the existing pool of available rights, which usually means purchasing them from a local agricultural producer.
It is important to note that water rights are private property. While we feel strongly about our agricultural community and the heritage and green space it provides, it is not the Conservancy’s role to tell a farmer when they can sell their rights to retire or to dictate which farmers must stay in business. Those owners have the right to make market-based decisions for their own assets.
2. Data Center Water Projections From our research, we have conducted, the data center currently under discussion has proposed a closed-loop cooling system. Unlike traditional systems that lose millions of gallons to evaporation, a closed-loop system recirculates the water.
Initial Fill: It would require a one-time “charge” of approximately 8 acre-feet to fill the system.
Annual Use: Its ongoing annual consumption is projected at roughly 3.13 acre-feet(primarily for domestic use and landscaping). For context, this is roughly equivalent to the annual usage of 3 to 6 average households.
3. Pine Valley Water Supply Project Regarding the Pine Valley project: while it has recently been approved, the Conservancy has not yet changed policies to allow developers to “buy into” this new water source. Currently, any project on the table must still rely on the acquisition of existing water rights as described above.
Our goal is to ensure that any future growth is balanced against the long-term health of our aquifer. We appreciate the community’s passion for conservation and will continue to provide updates as these projects move through the public process.
Lastly, the Utah legislature passed into law last week house bill 76 which requires large data centers to publicly report annual water consumption, including diversion and reuse data, to ensure transparency. The legislation, mandates 90-day pre-construction notification to water providers and sets penalties for non-compliance, allows for public verification of water usage claims, particularly for projects in arid regions like Iron County. For more details on the legislation, visit Utah Legislature.
Celeste Maloy: Championing Practical Water Solutions for Rural Utah
The Cedar Valley Water Conservancy (formerly the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District) exists for a simple purpose: protecting the water our communities depend on today and ensuring it remains available for tomorrow.
In a high-desert basin like ours, every decision about water matters. “I see every day how much depends on our ability to stretch each drop through conservation, innovation, and smart policy. Doing more with the water we already have is not a slogan; it is our operating mandate,” said Paul Monroe, General Manager of the Cedar Valley Water Conservancy.
Over the past several years, the Water Conservancy has worked deliberately to turn that philosophy into action. We have modernized infrastructure to reduce system losses and expanded wastewater reclamation so water can safely be reused for secondary purposes. By partnering with local cities and schools, non-potable water is now being used to irrigate parks and public spaces meaning fewer gallons must be pumped from our aquifer. These reuse projects also allow wells to remain idle while still meeting irrigation demand, protecting groundwater supplies while supporting the needs of a growing community.
Our work extends beyond infrastructure. The Water Conservancy has promoted water-wise landscaping, turf replacement programs, and efficiency rebates, helping residents make small changes that create large collective savings. We continue working with farmers and businesses to improve delivery systems and apply water more precisely. In Cedar Valley, we are proving that growth and conservation can move forward together when communities plan carefully.
But local effort alone cannot solve Western water challenges. Policy decisions made far beyond our valley influence how effectively communities like ours can conserve, reuse, and develop water. That is why strong representation matters and why we are grateful for leaders like Congresswoman Celeste Maloy.
With deep ties to Cedar City and a background in agriculture from Southern Utah University, Maloy began her career as a soil conservationist before becoming an attorney focused on public lands and water issues. Her experience working with rural counties and water conservancy districts has given her a clear understanding of how federal policy impacts real communities. Today in Congress, she continues to advocate for practical water solutions, local control, and strong federal–local partnerships. By taking the time to visit our projects firsthand, Celeste Maloy has gained a clear understanding of our water challenges and has been a strong advocate for bringing meaningful support and resources back to Cedar Valley.
Congresswoman Maloy understands that water policy is not theoretical here it determines whether families, farms, and businesses can thrive. She has been instrumental in helping bring critical federal resources to Cedar Valley, including $1.75 million in secured funding for the water reuse project. In addition, she has submitted a Community Project Funding request for an additional $3.25 million to support the next phase of the Conservancy’s water reuse project a key investment that will expand our ability to reuse water, reduce groundwater demand, and strengthen long-term water reliability.
This level of support is more than funding it is a partnership that helps turn long-term planning into real, on-the-ground solutions for our communities.
The Water Conservancy will continue reclaiming, conserving, and carefully managing every drop we can. The work ahead will require persistence, innovation, and cooperation at every level. Having leaders who understand our challenges and are willing to advocate for rural Utah makes that future possible.
Cedar Valley’s water story has always been one of partnership between neighbors, municipalities, and those who represent us. We are grateful for the support that helps protect our valley, and for leaders who stand with rural communities to ensure our water future remains strong.
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The purpose of the Cedar Valley Water Stewards program is to recognize community members for contributing to the effort to optimize every drop of water in Iron County. Cedar Valley Water Conservancy (CVWC) is actively engaged in education, conservation, reuse, and import projects to meet the growing demands on local water supply.
For every effort you make to conserve, we consider you a water steward, too. To Get to Know Your H2O, visit https://cedarvalleywaterutah.gov/.
Have you ever had to ask that question — and really mean it?
During a recent conversation, an older woman from our area shared something simple that stuck with me. She said,
“Growing up, all I knew about water was that when you needed it in the house, you turned on the tap — and when you needed it outside, you turned on the hose.”
For many of us, that has been enough. We have lived in a time where water simply appeared when we asked for it. In a way, that is a gift. But it also means we have become far removed from the process — and when that happens, it becomes easy to take for granted just how remarkable, and how limited, our water truly is.
So what is our situation here in Cedar Valley? Why are we working on the projects we are today?
To answer that, we have to go back — far back — because concern about water here is not new. It has followed this valley for more than a century.
A History Written in Water
to the 1800s and show a community continually learning how precious water is.
In 1854 the Cedar City Council passed an ordinance to preserve the purity of the water.
By 1905, Dr. George W. Middleton explained germs in the water supply to the court. Judge Herbert Adams responded:
“Anything that is too small to be seen by the naked eye is too small for this Court to waste its time upon. Doc, you show me a germ and I will eat it. Case dismissed.”
Today we smile at that moment, but at the time it reflected how new the understanding of water safety truly was. The community learned, adapted, and kept moving forward.
In 1925 the city celebrated awarding a contract to build a reservoir to store the water supply — only to watch it fail the very same year.
In 1950 the valley faced a severe water shortage, leading to construction of new tanks and infrastructure.
Year after year the same words appeared in records: lack of water, lack of storage, lack of wells, need for more.
The story of Cedar Valley has always been the story of learning to live within the limits of water.
The Aquifer Beneath Our Feet
Our valley depends on groundwater stored underground in the aquifer. Snowpack, gentle storms, and recharge projects refill it. Dry years draw it down.
But for many decades we pumped nearly the same amount regardless of how much nature replaced.
Water underground does more than supply our homes — it supports the ground itself. The pressure helps keep the land stable. When levels drop, spaces collapse and fill with dirt and rock creating large fishers in the ground. And once they collapse, they no longer store water again.
So the concern is not only losing water — it is losing the space to hold future water.
In other words, the valley can slowly sink while its storage capacity shrinks.
Learning to Stretch Every Drop
Because of this, the Cedar Valley Water Conservancy — formerly the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District — has worked for years to help the aquifer recover while planning for the future.
Education has become one of the most important tools. The district partnered with Utah State University to study LEPA pivot irrigation systems. Workshops teach conservation landscaping, efficient appliances, and better watering practices. Fairs, festivals, and community programs help residents understand how small changes across thousands of homes make a measurable difference.
The goal is not sacrifice — it is adaptation. A community can grow responsibly if it understands its limits.
Returning Water Back to the Ground
Some of the most innovative work happens where people rarely see it.
West of Cedar City lies Quichapa Lake — a native name meaning “bad water.” The area historically collected high runoff and flash flood water high in total dissolved solids, salt, and sediment. Historically, that water evaporated and was lost.
Today, the water conservancy has constructed automatic diversion structures that allow clean water to be used before it is contaminated with the minerals of the historic lakebed.
Water rights were filed. A solar-powered pump station was built. The water is lifted into what many now call the “lazy river,” where sediments settle, and filtration occurs naturally. From ther,e it is delivered to an agricultural producer, which allows the agricultural producer to idle their pumping of groundwater, thus conserving millions of gallons of water annually.
Coal Creek recharge basins now also capture excess flows and soak them directly underground.
More recently, Cedar City, Enoch City, and Iron County partnered with the district on a wastewater reuse project. Treated water will be converted into usable Type I irrigation water to be used within the City’s secondary irrigation systems and places like the cemetery, SUU, parks, and Schools. This will help idle wells and preserve drinking water supplies. The project received nearly 4-million dollars in support, including $1.75 million secured through Congresswoman Celeste Maloy.
Instead of discarding water once used, the valley is learning to use it again — and again — before asking the ground for more.
Planning for the Future Supply
Even with conservation and reuse, studies showed Cedar Valley must reduce groundwater withdrawals to meet safe-yield requirements.
In 2006, the District applied for water rights in Pine Valley after research showed roughly 15,000 acre-feet available. The goal was to provide an additional source of water to bring reliability, redundancy, and stability.
The project includes a 66-mile pipeline from Pine Valley to the Cedar Valley area, monitoring and mitigation plans to protect senior water rights, and state oversight to ensure sustainable withdrawal.
The estimated cost is approximately $260 million over a 40-year loan. Under a scenario funded only by current users, the increase could average about $45.54 per month. Grants, growth, impact fees, and financing options would lower the cost per month.
Recently, some residents saw claims of 700% rate increases. Those numbers came from a worst-case financial model assuming no growth, no grants, no new users, and no shared funding. It represents one scenario studied — not the planned outcome.
Iron County is one of Utah’s fastest-growing areas, and communities are working together to regionalize systems and share infrastructure costs so the burden does not fall on one group alone.
The Larger Picture
Water planning in the West is never simple. Conservation alone cannot replace supply, and supply alone cannot solve overdraft. The valley now operates under groundwater management plans designed to reduce pumping while maintaining reliability.
The approach has become a portfolio:
Use less. Reuse more. Recharge what we can. Develop sources responsibly.
This is not a new challenge — only the modern chapter of a very old one.
Continuing the Story
For over 170 years, Cedar Valley has faced the same question in different forms:
How do we leave enough water for those who come next?
Each generation built reservoirs, drilled wells, studied science, and changed habits. Today’s generation builds recharge basins, reuse systems, and long-term supply planning.
None of these efforts stands alone. Together they form a single purpose — to ensure that the simple expectation of turning on a tap remains possible in a high desert valley.
Because one day, another resident will tell a child:
The Cedar Valley Water Conservancy, (formerly Central Iron County Water Conservancy District) announced a major milestone for the future of Iron County’s water security following the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) issuance of the Record of Decision (ROD) approving Basin 14 – Pine Valley Water Supply Project. This decision authorizes the Water Conservancy to construct and operate a new wellfield and pipeline system that will deliver up to 15,000 acre‑feet per year of legally acquired groundwater from Pine Valley to Cedar Valley, helping secure a sustainable water supply for generations to come.
A Vital Water Supply for Cedar Valley’s Future
For decades, Cedar Valley’s aquifer has been severely overdrawn—currently by more than 7,000 acre-feet per year—and is subject to a state-mandated Groundwater Management Plan that will gradually reduce groundwater pumping to reach safe yield. At the same time, population in Iron County is projected to rise, with water demand expected to grow with the community. “This project is absolutely essential to Cedar Valley’s long-term water sustainability,” said Water Conservancy General Manager Paul Monroe. “This project allows us to bring already permitted court adjudicated water rights into use—water which will allow us to diversify our water supply and combine them with conservation projects like our reuse projects.”
The Pine Valley Water Supply Project provides the missing supply needed to stabilize the aquifer, support municipal and agricultural needs, and prevent future water shortages that would otherwise threaten economic stability.
Strong Environmental Safeguards and Responsible Water Management
The Water Conservancy emphasized that environmental protection was at the center of project planning. As required by the BLM, the Water Conservancy will implement one of the most extensive groundwater monitoring and adaptive management programs in Utah’s history. This includes requirements to:
Protect Springs, Habitat, and Wildlife
Implement a comprehensive suite of wildlife, vegetation, habitat, and cultural resource protection measures—including protections for the Utah prairie dog, migratory birds, and greater sagegrouse—as outlined in the EIS.
Monitor key springs across Pine Valley, Wah Wah Valley, and adjacent basins to ensure project pumping does not cause adverse impacts to spring flows or groundwater‑dependent ecosystems.
Maintain water quality and minimize ground disturbance through construction best practices.
Protect Senior Water Right Holders
The project includes a mandatory Interference Drawdown Monitoring and Mitigation Program, ensuring that no senior water right holder is harmed. This program will:
Monitor groundwater levels continuously at startup, nearfield, and farfield wells.
Identify any well owner who may experience more than 15 feet of drawdown attributable to the project.
Compensate or mitigate for any proven impacts—to wells or springs—at the Water Conservancy’s expense.
“We are committed to protecting every senior water right holder in Pine Valley and surrounding area,” said David Harris, Water Conservancy Board Chair. “The protections embedded in this project are unprecedented and enforceable.”
Compliance With State Orders and Federal Oversight
As required under the Utah Division of Water Rights’ 2014 Order, Water Conservancy must:
Meter every production well.
Report all pumping data monthly and annually.
Stay within the safe yield of the hydrologic system through adaptive management.
The BLM will oversee environmental compliance throughout construction and operation.
A Decision That Matters for Every Resident
Water Conservancy leaders stressed that the BLM’s Decision is more than a regulatory step—it is a turning point for Iron County.
“This project allows us to meet the needs of families, businesses, agriculture, and future generations,” said Steve Nelson, Cedar City Mayor and Water Conservancy Board Member. “Without it, Cedar Valley would face unavoidable shortages, decreasing water reliability, and long‑term economic constraints.”
The project also complements ongoing local efforts, including conservation programs, recharge projects, and the Cedar City Reuse Project currently under construction.
Next Steps
With the federal approval now complete, the Water Conservancy will begin detailed design, permitting, and phased construction of wells, pipelines, and power facilities. The initial monitoring wells and startup production wells will be installed first to further refine aquifer response before full wellfield buildout.
About Cedar Valley Water Conservancy
The Cedar Valley Water Conservancy is charged with conserving, developing, and stabilizing the Cedar Valley water supply for the benefit of all current and future water users and consumers in the region. The Conservancy promotes and educates about conservation, recharge, reuse, new sources, and strategies as it strives to meet the challenges of declining water levels and community growth.
Figure 3 2016 Test Well Pine Valley
Figure 4 Drilling Test Wells 2016
Figure 5 2022 Installing Weather Station Pine Valley
