Bluffdale council to hear the water conservation element rewrite on Nov. 18

BLUFFDALE — The City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday, Nov. 18, on Ordinance 2026-34, the amendment that updates the Water Conservation Element of the city's General Plan, with the city itself as applicant and assistant city engineer Daniel Tracer as staff contact 1. The hearing opens at 6 p.m. at Bluffdale City Hall, 2222 West 14400 South, and emailed comment with "Water Conservation Plan" in the subject line must arrive before 4 p.m. that day 1.

The Planning Commission heard the same application, 2026-34, on Nov. 4 as the last of five public hearings on its agenda, and forwards a recommendation to the council 2.

The plan is the five-year update of the city's 2021 document, which state law requires public water suppliers to prepare and refresh on that cycle 3. Its 2030 goal follows the Salt Lake area's regional target — an 11% cut from 2015 levels, or 210 down to 187 gallons per person per day — and because Bluffdale used 171 gallons per person per day in 2015, the city's own target lands at 152 3. The plan states consumption has already fallen below the regional goal, from roughly 260 gallons per person per day in 2000 to under 160 by 2019 3.

The date that matters is further out. Assuming current trends continue, the plan projects the city will exceed the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District's available supplies around 2038, and lists its options as dedicating more water rights or canal shares, paying a fee in lieu, or developing its own sources 3. Drinking water has carried tiered rates since 2018 — a $12 monthly residential base, $3.15 per 1,000 gallons up to 12,000 and $5.65 above 100,001 — while secondary water is metered but flat-priced at $1.00 per 1,000 gallons 3.

The plan also records the procedural requirement behind the hearing: the city "shall devote part of at least one regular meeting every five years of its governing body to a discussion and formal adoption of the water conservation plan and allow public comment on it," with the minutes appended 3.