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Home My WebLink AboutWater Rights Work Meeting 15FEB2023PowerPoint Presentation Water Rights Work Meeting Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 Our Discussion Water Rights Background Information How have Water Rights been handled in the past How are we doing as a City Future Direction Discuss Options City of Rexburg Policy Water Share Acquisition Apply with IDWR to obtain groundwater permit Basket of Rights Surface water Rights Canal Shares 107 Shares = 760 acres Surface Water Right 60 CFS Groundwater Water Rights Volume & flow 24.19 cfs Population Curve Options Conservation of water Development bringing water rights to the City City Purchases Groundwater Rights Upfront (Buy & Dry) Secondary Irrigation Systems utilizing water shares in the canal companies Build additional water storage capacity Build a Treatment Plant using surface water rights with chlorination Conservation of water Pro’s Extend existing water Cost Savings Con’s Limited growth potential Additional Cost to enforce Change of Community personality Development bringing water rights to the City Con’s More difficult to develop Planning more difficult Ground may not develop Pro’s No upfront cost to the city Developer negotiates cost Canal shares differ in value from groundwater shares Purchase Groundwater Rights Upfront (Buy & Dry) Pro’s Planning Advantages Attract Business Allows for Growth Ability to Lease We don’t lose it as an option Easier for small developments Con’s Upfront cost Could drive up market value Potential Litigation Curtailment Uncertainty Secondary Irrigation Systems utilizing water shares Pro’s Fully utilize canal shares Pumping costs less HOA maintained for subdivisions Canal shares less expensive than groundwater rights Could use water reclamation plant for irrigation Con’s Canal Company involvement Geographic limitations Additional Cost to Developers & Property Owners (approx. $19k/acre) Significant Cost to construct in built out areas May drive development to the county Build additional water storage capacity Pro’s Maximizes current water rights Con’s Cost to Build Wasted storage in Winter Cost of managing stagnation (Water Quality) Build a Treatment Plant using Surface water rights with Chlorination Pro’s Fully utilize our Surface Water Rights Con’s Chlorinated water/taste Cost to build & operate 5 X the cost of a well to build Limited growth potential Existing Water Rights Policy The water rights policy is currently located within the Engineering Standards. The current resolution is No 2022-07 adopted on April 6, 2022. Scenarios Developer did not receive rights or shares Payment in lieu of share (Value determination?) Subsurface rights & canal shares can be separated from the property Dry Land being developed Difference in value of Groundwater Rights to canal shares (115 X) F. WATER RIGHTS Lands that are developed within the City of Rexburg and are, prior to development, irrigated with surface water must be irrigated with the existing surface water right where feasible. This may require the development of a secondary irrigation system or special systems as conditions dictate. Exceptions must be approved by City Engineer. Lands that are developed within the City of Rexburg and are, prior to development, irrigated with surface water and a secondary irrigation system is not feasible shall transfer to the City of Rexburg the surface right or portion of that water right prior to the issuance of a will serve letter or provide a method of transfer acceptable to the city. All subsurface rights tied to property to be serviced by the City of Rexburg shall be transferred to the City of Rexburg. Recommendations Initial Implementation Revise Policy Conservation of water Development bringing water rights to the City City Purchases Groundwater Rights Upfront (Buy & Dry) Secondary Irrigation Systems utilizing water shares in the canal companies Future Consideration Build additional water storage capacity Build a Treatment Plant using surface water rights with chlorination Additional Information $26,460,000 Subdivision Average Summer Water Use (Gallons per Person per Day) Harvest Heights 1010 Willowbrook 870 Stonebridge 414 Founders Square 394 Summerfield 257 4.025 people per household (Impact Study) 55 gallons/person/day (Dormitory apartments) Walter’s Pond Recharge Site Max flow 11.1 cfs Infiltration < 5 cfs Current Shares/Forecast gpm cfs Estimated Population Estimated Year Current Peak Diversion Rate 14,602 32.53 43,978 2022 Regular Groundwater Rights 9,753 21.73 Golf Courses and Park Rights that could be transferred to drinking water system. 1,104 2.46 BYUI 1,194 2.66 Walters Pond Permit 7,495 16.70 Total Available 19,547 43.55 58,876 2037 Remaining for Growth 4,944 11.02 14,989 Potential for Growth based on Peak Water Diversion Rate. Assumes peak diversion is proportional to population Water Capacity Water Capacity Acres Impact Area 12,823 </a:t> Existing Water Use 4,596 </a:t></ Available Water Capacity (est.) 2,306 </a:t></ No Water Capacity (est.) 5,137 </a:t></ Canal Company Map Rexburg Canal Shares Shares Acres Rexburg Irrigation CO 60 480 Teton Island Feeder Canal CO 27 270 Woodmansee Johnson Canal CO 20 10 Water Rights Water Rights (0.5 to 18.0) CFS Within Impact Area 54.62 Within 1 mile of Impact Area 104.02 * Volume is reduced when transferred to a municipal right. Dry Land & Water Right Places of Use 172 Acres of Dry Farm Land in Impact Area