Spring 2012 Kolob Reservoir Water for Today and Tomorrow • Conservation Every Day™ Manager’s Message — Drought conditions extremely likely this summer Where are the The National Oceanic and 673-3617 or go to the District’s website value of approximately $101 million. Facts? Atmospheric Association has issued a for conservation tips. (wcwcd.org/ The QCP was a $30 million project. statement that La Niña is still with us conservation) About 30% of the county’s taxable value Check out our new and may even strengthen. This particular All of us saving several gallons was bonded so this project could be webpage at wcwcd.org weather pattern usually means that of water will, in the long run, save built. Washington County residents went southern Utah will experience drought thousands of gallons of water. The Water to the polls and over 90% voted in favor conditions. Local reservoirs will do their District’s maxim says it this way: “Water of the QCP bond. See our blog for job to make sure we have the water we for Today and Tomorrow – Conservation Today, close to 150,000 people reside information about water need, but water levels will drop. Every Day.” in Washington County and the county’s projects and water issues Even though we had a record wet year taxable property value is approximately wcwcd.org/blog in 2011, that does not mean we can be Yesterday’s canals are $10 billion. We are able to borrow wasteful. It takes years to recover from today’s pipelines money for the important projects that we the impacts of even a short-term drought. The history of Washington County need to build to continue with efficient Follow us at twitter at Knowing how climate will change is filled with accounts of ditches being management of our water resources, WATERDIST from one year to the next helps us in dug, wells being drilled, springs being such as the Ash Creek and Warner managing our water supply. I would developed and surface water being Valley projects. If the Lake Powell ask you to help us manage the water we diverted. Pipeline Project were being built today, have by being water-wise this summer. The years of human toil required and our portion would cost about 10% of Become familiar with the minimum the meager finances available for water Washington County’s current taxable amount of water your landscape needs projects such as the La Verkin and property value which is 20% less than in Water delivered by to survive and do not use any more than Hurricane canals were often sources of 1982. District in 2011 that. Be sure to fix any leaks you may discouragement to the early pioneers. In 1982, the county needed water find in your home or in your outdoor But the need for water overshadowed all storage. In the 21st century, the county irrigation system. If you need to replace other needs if they were to have a life needs to continue to diversify its water Culinary plants, do so with a drought-resistant in the southwest. With recent estimates portfolio. The District is pursuing many water variety. Conserving our water means showing growth in Washington County diversified approaches to maintain a 6.4 billion you at 2.6% per year, the need for a reliable balanced water resource supply, such gallons • use car washes to clean your car (they water supply is still strong. as reservoirs, wells, ground water recycle their water) Twenty years after the Water District recharge, storage facilities, enhanced • use a broom rather than a hose to was created (November 28, 1962), the use of untreated water for irrigation and, Secondary water clean off your patio, and first major water storage facility was always, conservation to stretch those 26 billion gallons • water within the time-of-day watering built - the Quail Creek Project (QCP). supplies as far as they can go. With ordinances and then only when the When the QCP was in the planning growth on the rebound, there is no doubt wind is not blowing. process in the early 1980s, only 30,000 that all of these efforts will be necessary If you have questions, call people resided in Washington County to meet our reasonably anticipated our conservation coordinator at and the county had a taxable property demands for the foreseeable future. Without the means to adequately fund water development, projects like Quail Creek Reservoir would never have been built. Photo: Doug Wilson What would happen if property taxes were denied to water districts? By Ron Thompson, General Manager tax revenues. The rating could drop be placed on the current user. With citizens across the board – no one The Utah Legislature adopted the several points as low as BBB without property taxes, present and future would be exempt from feeling the Water Conservancy Act in 1941. This property tax revenues, thereby property owners all share in the pinch. Impacts include, but would not Act created water conservancy districts increasing interest costs on projects benefits of the project without being be limited to: for the purpose of developing water – costs which must be passed on to overwhelmed by the cost. Since • schools, churches and municipalities resources in their service area. consumers. these benefits will apply to property could be hit with a 147% increase in In order to fund water development, • Public safety – without property tax that will be developed in the future, their water bills the districts were authorized to levy income, the cost of water used to it is fair that one component of the • water rates may increase by 147% property taxes, with limitations set by fight fires, for instance, would have District’s portfolio comes from for the average citizen, and the legislature as to tax rates. Today, to be paid by the affected home/ property taxes. • owners of undeveloped land would property taxes, water rates and impact business/land owner. Property taxes Water is a public good and a resource pay nothing, even though their fees provide revenue sources assisting ensure that money is reserved in a we cannot live without. Funds need to property would benefit from the each district with a portfolio of funds special fund to address emergencies be available so that Washington County resources paid for through user fees. necessary to keep up with water and ensure that water is available for residents will always have access to The following chart summarizes the demand. public safety. quality water. If property taxes were estimated cost increases to individuals, During the 2012 legislative session, • Reasonable costs - if a $10 million not forthcoming, funding would have institutions and businesses if the Senate Bill 78 was introduced that dollar project is built to provide water to come from exorbitantly high water District was no longer able to collect could have effectively disallowed the for 2,000 people and the annual cost rates, user fees and impact fees. property tax revenues to pay for its collection of property taxes by the to operate the project is $100,000, The effects of higher fees and rates current actions to provide and protect Washington County Water Conservancy the entire cost of the project cannot would impact Washington County water resources. District and Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. If a bill like this Property Tax Water Rates Total Cost Before $50 $344 $394 Property assessed at is enacted, it would essentially eradicate 2 Person Residency $91,300. Actual 2011 usage a stable source of funding and diminish (Primary Home) After $0 $927 $927 the ability of water districts to provide: charges. Before $91 $344 $435 Using data from above • a reliable water supply 2 Person Residency without primary residency tax • water conservation education (Second Home) After $0 $927 $927 • watershed protection break. • water to fight fires and provide for Before $0 $3,455 $3,455 Using 2011 usage charges of School public safety and After $0 $9,311 $9,311 an actual school. • endangered species protection. Before $0 $8,686 $8,686 Using 2011 usage charges of Church It would also affect: After $0 $23,406 $23,406 an actual church. • Bond ratings – the District’s current Before $1,334 $9,969 $11,304 Using 2011 usage charges bond rating is AA+, based in part on Restaurant and property value of an the stability provided by property After $0 $26,865 $26,865 actual restaurant. District has long history of protecting native fish species By Barbara Hjelle, that collaboration with wildlife agencies survival of these species. woundfin reproduction. Woundfin Associate General Manager would be the only way to produce Due to the wide variation in water population was 400% greater than One of the biggest challenges in meaningful results. Consequently, available from year to year and many it was in 2007. water management is making sure that the District began other variables of a The District and the Virgin River all competing demands for water are working with state Woundfin survival desert ecosystem, in Program continue their cooperative met. Since the District was established and federal wildlife depends upon any given year there efforts to fifty years ago, it has worked to agencies to develop have been successes • eradicate invasive non-native ensure that water is available for a viable program. In sufficient flow and failures in the quest species from our rivers and streams domestic, industrial, agricultural and 2001, after many within the river, to improve habitat for • enhance fish habitat recreational use while at the same time years of negotiations, especially during all native fishes and to • ensure that our river system ensuring there is enough water for the the Virgin River hot summer save the endangered remains healthy, and environment and local wildlife.