Alpine residents used nearly 11% less pressurized irrigation water between April 15 and June 30 compared to the same period in 2025, according to data the city's Water Citizen Advisory Committee will review at its Thursday, July 30, meeting.

The committee meets at 6 p.m. at Alpine City Hall, 20 N. Main St. The agenda includes a discussion on timing for a potential $9 million revenue bond to fund the Heritage Hills Well and a booster pump on 400 West, two projects city engineers have identified as the top priorities for fixing pressure deficiencies in Alpine's irrigation system.

Conservation numbers

Pressurized irrigation use fell 10.75% and culinary water use dropped 5.74% over the first 10 weeks of the irrigation season, according to the committee's agenda. The committee proposed a goal at its June 25 meeting of cutting outdoor water use by at least 13% by October 15, meaning the city still has ground to make up.

A volunteer leak outreach pilot also showed progress. The number of households with detected leaks fell from 682 on June 1 to 581 on July 13. The committee's proposed target is fewer than 500 households reporting a 24-hour leak by November 1.

Bonding and rates

Mayor Carla Merrill is scheduled to present a timetable for potentially bonding for the water projects Thursday. At the June 9 City Council meeting, Mark Anderson of Zions Public Finance outlined a possible $9 million bond structure that would require interest-only payments for the first four years, followed by annual payments of roughly $640,000.

Anderson's analysis showed the city would not meet the standard 1.25x debt service coverage ratio using only PI revenues without raising rates. City staff have said a rate study costing $75,000 to $110,000 would be needed before any fee increase could move forward. The specific dollar impact on household bills has not been disclosed.

"The priority for efficient distribution across all zones is the addition of the new Heritage Well," Merrill said at the committee's June 25 meeting.

Staff estimated the well would not be completed until 2028 even on an aggressive timeline. Alpine's existing 2020 PI bond carries annual payments of about $377,000 through 2029.

What's at stake

Pressurized irrigation accounts for 80–85% of Alpine's total water use, according to city staff. Committee chair Steve Burrows told the City Council on June 9 that the committee unanimously recommended the city establish financing to address known PI deficiencies, calling it a generational decision comparable to the original bonding that built Alpine's irrigation system.

The committee will also hear a status update on its May 26 recommendations to the City Council for funding five priority projects identified in the October 2025 Horrocks Engineering master plan. The agenda also includes discussion of a "Utah Growing Water Smart" action plan that Council Members Chrissy Hannemann and Sarah Blackwell presented to the City Council on Tuesday, July 28.

The next committee meeting is proposed for Thursday, August 27, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Residents can attend Thursday's meeting in person to comment during the discussion period.