The Washington County Water Conservancy District has launched a multi-decade strategy to secure 46,615 acre feet of water through 2042, involving more than $1 billion in planned investments for conservation, infrastructure development, and regional water reuse.
Five Pillars of Water Security
The district's 20-year water supply plan focuses on five key initiatives: conservation, reuse, development, conversion, and optimization. According to the district, Washington County is one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation, necessitating long-term planning because water projects often take decades to permit and build.
Strategies for Conservation and Growth
The 'Conserve' initiative aims to reduce per capita water use by an additional 15% over the next decade. To achieve this, the district will utilize lawn replacement incentives, smart meter installations, and improved rate structures. The plan also includes 'Agricultural Conversion,' which evaluates transitioning available agricultural water for municipal development.
Regional Water Reuse Infrastructure
A central component of the strategy is the Regional Reuse Purification System. The district projects this system will produce 24,200 acre-feet of water per year by 2042, a capacity sufficient to serve more than 40,000 homes. This infrastructure will create new pathways for purified reclaimed water to be used for irrigation and agricultural purposes, thereby freeing up potable supplies.
Existing and Future Storage
The district is also prioritizing the development of new reservoirs and the expansion of well systems to augment local storage. Current operations include five existing reservoirs with a combined capacity exceeding 100,000 acre feet. Notable existing sites include the Sand Hollow Reservoir, which has a 51,360 acre-foot capacity, and Quail Creek Reservoir, which holds 40,325 acre feet.
Ongoing and Potential Projects
Ongoing infrastructure projects include the Chief Toquer Reservoir, a 3,640 acre-foot reservoir being built as part of the $94 million Ash Creek Project in Toquerville. Additionally, the district continues to evaluate the Warner Valley Reservoir, a long-term project under consideration for over 50 years, though its implementation remains subject to further technical and engineering analysis.
Regional Collaboration Efforts
The 'One Water Washington County' approach is a collaborative effort involving several municipal partners, including St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins, Toquerville, La Verkin, and Virgin. This integrated management strategy treats all water—surface, ground, and reuse—as a single resource to maximize efficiency in the Desert Southwest.
Legacy Systems and Revenue
The district also manages diverse water assets, including two hydropower plants—Hurricane and Quail Creek—that generate combined annual revenues exceeding $1 million. While the district continues to manage historical systems like the Toquerville Secondary Water System, which replaced open ditches with pressurized irrigation in 1998, the focus remains on modernizing infrastructure to meet future demands.
