Local Water District Requested

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  April 5, 2017.  In a pro forma matter,  a petition has been filed to request Count services for the Sweetwater Park Subdivisions, Sweetwater Trailer Park, and Fox Ridge for water delivery.  

Terry Allen, Bear Lake Water Company, informed commissioners that now the private water company owned by three different associations, provides services. This company would like to form a local improvement district, so that they can apply for grants for upgrading the system. Other rural water systems are creating districts.  By law it needs to first be presented to the county to give the county the opportunity to provide the services. If the county declines, then the company may go ahead with the process to create the local improvement district which would include the subdivisions in Sweetwater.

Commissioner Cox asked if the improvement district would provide other services.  Allen said that the district would only be for water service.  Currently there are 900 active water connections.  But that number could triple in the next few years.  There are about 13 miles of pipe in the area which are being upgraded in a systematic way.  Last year over 3000 feet of new lines were added which allows the entire Sweetwater Parkway to be plowed in winter.   Every year new 8" HTPD lines are installed conforming to Utah Code.   

The water company is also working on getting more water rights and is working on putting in more tanks.

Allen says he needs a letter from the County declining the option to control, then it  goes to the Attorney General for the development of the district.  Cox said that other subdivisions  have asked for water services and they have been told that the county is not in the water business.

HOA member Gary Voss said that he was encouraged by the direction the water company was taking but was worried about the long term viability of a private water company.

The commissioners will make the formal decision in the May commission meeting.   A letter will then be drafted to the Attorney General.