Ivins residents can celebrate a significant win for open space and water conservation. In a letter from Zach Renstrom, General Manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District, the district announced it will postpone development of Dry Wash as a reuse water reservoir. (Download letter)
This decision comes as a direct result of exemplary leadership in water conservation by Ivins residents, boasting the lowest per capita water use in the county. Instead, the district will prioritize the Graveyard Wash Reservoir in Santa Clara while preserving Dry Wash as a potential future option.
For now, this marks a promising step in protecting Dry Wash’s natural beauty, a move that aligns with the values and wishes of our community.
Here is what Zach Renstrom said in the letter (pay particular attention to the third to last paragraph and the last paragraph):
“Because the district’s twenty-year plan depends significantly on reuse water, the district’s engineers began carefully re-evaluating the purpose and need for both Dry Wash and Graveyard Wash Reservoirs. This analysis considered increased conservation standards and the resulting decisions of Ivins, Santa Clara, and St. George to reduce expansion of their secondary water systems. Based on this information, current modeling shows that the reuse system needs only one west-side reservoir.
“Consequently, the district will postpone development of Dry Wash as a reuse reservoir and prioritize Graveyard Wash Reservoir. While the district will work to preserve Dry Wash’s viability as a reservoir site, the district’s current intent is to develop Dry Wash as a reuse reservoir only if Graveyard Wash Reservoir does not come to fruition or is inadequate to meet secondary demands.
“Once Graveyard Wash Reservoir is operating and successfully satisfies the requirements of the reuse system, the district will analyze whether to pursue Dry Wash as a drinking water reservoir.
“The district commends Ivins’ conservation efforts. The city’s actions have greatly contributed to the district’s ability to delay or reduce the need for new water infrastructure like Dry Wash Reservoir.
“We look forward to continued collaboration on critical drinking water projects, including securing a drinking water treatment plant location and obtaining federal and state approvals to maintain dredging at Gunlock Reservoir. The district remains committed to working with Ivins to provide water to your vibrant community.”