Hyrum's
growth puts pressure on water infrastructure
By Heather Williams
December 27, 2004 | HYRUM -- With
the recent decision to deny new hookups to the pressurized
irrigation system, one has to wonder if the continued
growth in Hyrum is negatively affecting the water supply.
Over the past decade, Hyrum has grown from 4,829 people
to a population of 6,316 people according to the 2000
census. This growth is attributed to a large number
of people moving into the valley in the mid-1990s.
"You may be aware that there are no new connections
to the pressurized irrigation system. The city owns
enough water for another 25,000 hookups, but due to
small pipe sizes, pumps, and ponds, it becomes an infrastructure
problem," Councilman Tom Labau said.
Labau said the city members were recently divided
into four quadrants for the purpose of holding meetings
to hear input from city members. The city held a series
of four meetings where an opportunity was provided for
citizens to express ideas and concerns about future
growth.
"Some concerns were that a number of people want more
for more services and jobs. Others want the city to
remain a small area. Most just want more services, and
less taxes," Labau said.
Some expressed concern for the culinary water supply.
Labau said the city has plenty of culinary water.
"We have wells that we don't use some years," Labau
said.
According to the Utah Division of Water Resources,
Hyrum's water sources are four springs, and four wells.
"Spring sources have dropped off a little and the
city is pumping more water from wells. Consequently
the city is only pumping from one of its four wells
every other day. Despite having no water supply problems,
the city will continue to impose a no watering restriction
for Wednesdays and Sundays," according to the November
2004 report by the Utah Division of Water Resources.
Labau said the city had created a small committee
of about seven people, which created a meeting of about
50 people to look at issues. He said the problem is
so many people aren't interested in looking at future
issues.
NW
MS |
