The Ivins City Council may take action tonight on the Water District’s goal to build a new reservoir in Ivins. The Council will also discuss adding conservation requirements for new commercial development tonight. I expect they will do the same for new residential construction soon. All of this is happening because we have a water problem. But are we acting, reacting, or panicking?
We do have a water problem. We need to take it seriously. And we need to take action as soon as possible to ensure we have a hydrated future. But we have not even analyzed how big the problem is for Ivins, when it is most likely to impact us, and what are all the tools we can use to solve the problem.
Do We Have Enough Water For More New Development?
The Water Conservancy District and Ivins both say we have enough water resources for at least a few more years of development. Here’s what I believe this means. Ivins has rights/agreements to 3,734 acre-feet of water a year. Last year we used 2,438 acre-feet. What’s left over can support about 2,100 more homes. That gives us enough water to build 262 homes a year for another 8 years. (Note: This excludes Kayenta development activity and its water resources.)
Risk Associated With Our Water Supply
Although Ivins has rights/agreements to 3,700 acre-feet of water a year, it doesn’t mean 3,700 acre-feet will be available each year. We are at the mercy of Mother Nature. So, there’s no guarantee the WCWCD, our wells, or rivers can deliver all that we are “entitled to” every year.
The City’s Public Works Department has suggested in its reports that we build in a 20% buffer to help mitigate any potential variability in water availability.
After applying a 20% buffer, the City still has enough water to support about 900 more homes. That lets us add 250 homes a year for 3 to 4 more years.
How Much Water Have We Presold?
But I looked at all the preliminary plans, zoning, and land use changes the City has approved since the beginning of last year and added it up, concluding Ivins has already made “commitments” to developers for more than 1,700 new homes (actually, “equivalent residential units” which accounts for apartments, townhomes, hotel rooms, RV spaces, etc. at a lower usage rate than single-family homes).
What Do We Do?
My analysis is preliminary. It should be double-checked and corrected. Then we will know what our water needs are, when we will need additional water, how much of it needs to be culinary quality versus irrigation. Then we should analyze all of the possible actions we can take. That way we can see the big picture and how various actions can fit together to solve the problem. This doesn’t have to take long, probably just 30 to 60 days if we get serious about it.
Please share your comments and tell me about other Ivins issues I have not addressed in recent posts. CONTACT ME
Recent “Water” and “Development” posts
- Shivwits/Black Desert DevelopmentPDF 📄Update: June 9, 2026: City Council member Wayne Pennington provided a more recent plan (download) than was proposed in the presentation from last year that I initially posted. At our City Council meeting last Thursday, we agreed to place a discussion item on the June 18 Council agenda regarding the proposed development being planned…
- What Should Go Where?PDF 📄One of the most important discussions affecting Ivins over the next several decades is about to begin. On July 28 at 3:00 p.m., the City Council and Planning Commission will hold a joint work meeting at City Hall to discuss how we should update Ivins’ Land Use Map. This is just the first step…
- Anasazi Commons Annexation: Resident ConcernsPDF 📄I have received a number of emails from residents opposed to the annexation of the SITLA land just off Hwy 91 next to the Indigo Trails neighborhood and the proposed “Anasazi Commons” attainable housing development (previously called Anasazi Ridge). There will be a City Council Work Meeting at City Hall (85 N Main Street)…
- Short-Term Rentals: A Difficult VotePDF 📄At our December 18th meeting, I voted to approve a 160-unit short-term rental development called Mojave Village just off Hwy 91. I do not believe short-term rentals are good for Ivins. In addition to practical challenges they create, they undermine the sense of community that defines this city. That’s why I have consistently voted…
- Our New Water Shortage PlaybookPDF 📄Washington County is one of the hottest and driest regions in Utah, and one of the fastest growing. Because nearly all of our drinking water comes from the Virgin River basin, we are vulnerable to drought, climate change, and interruptions caused by infrastructure failures, earthquakes, or system repairs. To prepare for these challenges, the…